Pistons To Retire Team-Owned Airplane, Move To Delta Airlines Starting Next Season

The Pistons beginning next season will retire their team-owned airplane -- Roundball One -- and "join the NBA's charter agreement with Delta Airlines," according to a source cited by Rod Beard of the DETROIT NEWS. Delta Airlines currently "services 27 of the league's 30 teams." The Mavericks will "be the only team that utilizes its own plane," while the Heat and Rockets "have agreements with other providers." The change for the Pistons is "not a cost-savings move -- the charters will cost about the same -- but will provide significantly more space and comfort on trips, with fully-reclining seats for players, increased legroom and a flying range of about 3,400 miles (1,500 miles more than Roundball One)." The Pistons became the "first pro sports franchise with a team-owned airplane" in '87. There have "been three Roundball One planes: the original BAC-11, a DC-9, and the most recent version, a modified McDonnell Douglas MD-83" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/16).