Incoming Palace Sports & Entertainment Vice Chair Arn Tellem on Thursday in his first interview with the Detroit media "made it clear ... that his first order of business will NOT be moving the Pistons" from the Palace of Auburn Hills to Red Wings Owner Mike Ilitch's new arena in Detroit, according to Tom Walsh of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. But Tellem "left no doubt that he plans to rapidly connect with the region's top leaders," from the Ilitch family to Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert (a Detroit resident) and government officials, to "boost the profile and impact of the Pistons in the region." The Pistons have said that the Palace is the team's "home for the foreseeable future." But Tellem said there are "a lot of other ways you can make an impact and be involved in a city beyond just having an arena downtown." Tellem: "We're committed to Detroit and we're committed to being involved in its recovery and revitalization. The location of where you play, or pitting parts of one community against another, is not to me where it's at." Walsh notes Tellem plans to "meet quickly with both the Ilitch family and Gilbert, owners of sports teams where Tellem has long-standing relationships with key executives and advisers." He said, "The Pistons have a terrific home in Auburn Hills, and they've invested millions and millions of dollars in ensuring the Palace remains a state-of-the art arena. There's no plans to change that right now." Meanwhile, Walsh notes Tellem "doesn't get an immediate stake in Pistons ownership under Tom Gores, but it's clear that there's a pathway for him to become a part-owner" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/12).
TV TALK: In Detroit, Bill Shea reported there has been talk that PS&E and the Red Wings and Tigers "could cooperate in negotiations on their next contracts" with FS Detroit. The Pistons get about $25M annually from the network, "about what the Red Wings are paid." The Tigers, who "have twice as many games," are paid about $50M a year. All three deals are "expected to increase under new deals in coming years, reflective of the trend across pro sports that has seen an explosion in the value of local broadcast rights." Tellem has known Tigers President & CEO & GM Dave Dombrowski "for decades." Tellem said, "There are a lot of ties I have to the Tigers and Red Wings" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 6/11).
