The Pistons last night hosted their last game at The Palace of Auburn Hills before a crowd of 21,012, and the upcoming move to new Little Caesars Arena is "why the vibe felt so hopeful" in the loss to the Wizards. By moving to downtown Detroit, the franchise will be "reclaiming a part of its roots" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/11). The night, "soaking in nostalgia, was more like a long goodbye with a basketball game playing in between the video tributes and special presentations." Dennis Rodman "carried the game ball to center court," while John Salley and Isiah Thomas "played to the adoring crowd" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/11). The night "included the best memories" and "some of the best characters" from the venue's history (DETROIT NEWS, 4/11). It was a "festive atmosphere that was more party and celebration than sadness" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/11). The night was about "appreciating the past and looking eagerly toward the future" (AP, 4/10).

TNT "long had been scheduled to televise the game and did not adjust to an alternate contest after the Pistons fell out" of playoff contention. That was "unfortunate" because FS Detroit, led by the broadcast team of George Blaha and Greg Kelser, "could not interject local context into the telecast." TNT was "not FSD's equal in that regard" (MLIVE.com, 4/11).

While it is a "shame to leave a building still so livable, the Pistons knew they needed new life." Olympia Entertainment President & CEO Tom Wilson, a former Pistons exec, said, "I've always viewed this (Palace) as kind of a Disneyland, because it aspired to a different standard than the old arenas. This changed the arena world. But maybe it was too antiseptic, looking back at it. Whereas the Joe is Detroit, gritty, beat up a little bit, lots of hard times, it just seemed more kind of real" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/11). The DETROIT FREE PRESS goes with the header, "The Story Of The Palace Of Auburn Hills: Somehow, It Worked." DETROIT NEWS: "Son Will See Davidson Legacy Endure In Detroit."

NHL Kings GM Dean Lombardi and coach Darryl Sutter were dismissed yesterday, "less than 24 hours after the team's second non-playoff finish in the past three seasons." Kings President of Business Operations Luc Robitaille was "promoted to the club’s presidency and will also oversee hockey operations." Assistant GM Rob Blake was promoted to VP & GM and "will be in charge of the team’s day-to-day hockey operations." The team today will hold a news conference to "further address the moves" (L.A. TIMES, 4/11).

Former Raiders exec Amy Trask has been hired as CEO of the new BIG3 three-on-three basketball league co-founded by Ice Cube. She has also taken an undisclosed equity stake in the league. Trask, who has no previous professional experience in basketball, joins the BIG3 league effectively immediately as it prepares to debut on June 25 at Barclays Center with an eight-team, three-on-three, half-court format. Trask also will remain with CBS Sports Network in her role as a football analyst.

A new Boston College AD "could be announced in the next few days and no later than next week," sources said. The latest name to surface is Memphis AD Tom Bowen, who has "solid enough credentials as someone who can run football and basketball programs, hire coaches and fund raise." The list was "trimmed to a small group of finalists at interviews in Atlanta last week" by Parker Search and the BC search committee, and it "did not include a single AD" from a Power 5 school (TMGCOLLEGESPORTS.com, 4/10).

Meanwhile, UNLV officials this week will "continue to interview candidates" for the AD position and "hope to announce a list of finalists by early next week." A source said that the "field could be 'one to three'" when UNLV "makes the finalists list public" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/11).

The Maple Leafs are in the postseason for the first time since '13, and fans starting at 1:00pm ET today can "enter a presale opportunity" for playoff tickets, "based on gaining a code via a free membership with Leafs Nation." Remaining tickets from that sale will be available to the general public via Ticketmaster starting tomorrow at 9:00am. Demand is "expected to be high," with about 90% of the seats at Air Canada Centre "already held by season ticket holders." In an event staged by MLSE yesterday, media and fans "got a primer on ticket sales, swag availability and details on the parties to come in the Square" (TORONTO STAR, 4/11).

The Cleveland City Council yesterday moved a plan to commit $88M in tax revenues toward Quicken Loans Arena upgrades "one step closer to passage," but fell "one vote short of being able to approve it immediately." The body voted 11-6 to "suspend its rules on an ordinance that will contribute a share of the admissions taxes generated by events at The Q toward the debt service on the project." The deal affects admissions taxes from '24-34. The ordinance now "will require a third and final reading April 17, when it likely will be approved easily" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/11).

Comcast "plans to introduce an online video service offering hit shows from its NBCUniversal TV networks in the next 12 to 18 months, an effort to compete with rivals" Netflix and CBS, according to sources. Comcast is "still determining many of the particulars of the service, including whether it will have a live feed of the broadcast network and whether it will include sports." The service "will include programs from the NBC broadcast network, and could include shows from Comcast cable channels Bravo, SyFy and USA" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 4/10).

The Royals during yesterday's home opener against the A's honored late P Yordano Ventura, who died in January in the Dominican Republic. The team flew Ventura's mother, Marisol Hernandez, and grandfather, Raul Hernandez, to K.C. "just in time for a home opening pregame ceremony that honored Ventura's life." After the first pitch, Marisol Hernandez "walked off the field with manager Ned Yost's arm around her shoulders." An ACE 30 banner now hangs above the home bullpen in left field, below the numbers retired by the Royals and the '14 AL pennant and '15 World Series championship flags. That memorial also is "emblazoned on the pitching mound cover" (K.C. STAR, 4/11).

We welcome Yordano Ventura’s mother, Marisol and grandfather, Raul to throw out today’s ceremonial first pitch. #Ace30 pic.twitter.com/eGkN1HY1iA

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) April 10, 2017

Garcia also appeared on "CBS This Morning," and Charlie Rose asked of winning his first major, “Why did it take you so long?” Garcia: “For me it was meant to be now.” Garcia said of playing in the final pairing with Justin Rose, “I don’t want to do any gamesmanship to make him feel uncomfortable, because that would make me feel uncomfortable” (“CBS This Morning,” 4/11).

Meanwhile, Rolex runs a full-page ad in the N.Y. Times: "The Masters 2017. Thank You For Another Exceptional Major" (THE DAILY).

Nielsen has launched its National Out-of-Home Reporting Service, with ESPN becoming the first client to subscribe. ESPN2 also will subscribe to the opt-in service (Nielsen).

Blue Jays CF Kevin Pillar has signed a sponsorship deal with Powerade in Canada through November (Powerade).

Colorado State AD Joe Parker said that the school is "negotiating with potential sponsors" for naming rights for its new football stadium (COLORADOAN.com, 4/10).

Tennis string brand Solinco has entered into an endorsement deal with players Bob and Mike Bryan (Solinco).

The Red Sox have "fumigated and disinfected their clubhouse at Fenway Park to help fight the flu" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 4/11).

“For the things that happened in North Carolina, it’s abysmal. I would think that this would lead to the implementation of the death penalty by the NCAA” – Univ. of Maryland President Wallace Loh, on the NCAA’s investigation into UNC’s academic scandal (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 4/11).

“That’s the kind of stuff that you want your title sponsor to pour energy into. If we could snap our fingers, you’d have Tony Romo play” – Colonial Country Club Tournament Dir Michael Tothe, on drawing big names to participate in the PGA Tour Dean & DeLuca Invitational's pro-am (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/11).

“I like suits and ties because it’s a business approach. But the guy I buy my suits from likes the tradition even more, because you need a lot of suits” – Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, on being well-dressed for games (USA TODAY, 4/11).

“Drivers are tweeting congratulations on the paving job and the re-profiling and you never hear that kind of thing” – Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage, on the new track surface (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/11).

The L.A. TIMES notes with the Raiders deciding to leave Oakland for a $1.9B stadium in Las Vegas, the "carousel of moves and threats to move by California's professional sports teams appears to be slowing down." So too does "all the action in the state Legislature designed to help build new stadiums."

Also:

• Should ice hockey become a summer Olympic event?
• Time running out for Akron's Rubber Bowl to "make a comeback."
• Chargers appear to have lost many passionate San Diego fans.

It's pretty sick that a person would make a fake FB account to sell shirts for a man I never even had the pleasure to meet. Shame on you!

— Amy Earnhardt (@AmyEarnhardt) April 10, 2017

Why is Tim Raines throwing out first pitch at Blue Jays opener? Aside from fact he works for Jays he has no real connection to TOR fans.

— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) April 11, 2017

If you're the @GoldenKnights, how do you not hire 2-time Stanley Cup champ Daryl Sutter, fired by LA, as your 1st head coach? #nhl #Vegas

— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) April 11, 2017

I wasn't ready for my first NHL season to end...thankfully @NBCSN wasn't either. Very excited to be headed to Edmonton tomorrow. https://t.co/xl98dgsrHe

— Brendan Burke (@brendanmburke) April 10, 2017

Officials from Atlanta United, including Owner Arthur Blank, will join MLS Commissioner Don Garber as the team officially opens its Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground and HQ in Marietta, Ga.

Rice AD Joe Karlgaard will unveil new design elements for the school's athletic teams. The new marks were developed in partnership with Torch Creative and Adidas.

The Buccaneers will reveal plans for the third phase of the $150M-plus Raymond James Stadium renovations. 

Chicago is honoring Cubs 2B Javier Baez with an honorary street in the city's Humboldt Park neighborhood. Baez will be joined by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and other city officials for the dedication of "Javier 'Javy' Baez Way."

Magic CEO Alex Martins is meeting with Orange County (Fla.) officials to review the region's bid for the '20 NBA All-Star Game.

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Last night’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “American Authors.”

“Leviathan is a journal put out three times a year by an organization dedicated to this author and his works.”

Last night’s edition of “Jeopardy!” featured the category “NBA Rookies of the Year.”

$400: “1998: Tim Duncan, beginning quite a career with this team.”
$800: “2004: This 19-year-old from Akron.”
$1200: “2015 and 2016: Messrs. Wiggins and Towns, both of this team.”
$1600: “2009: This point guard who blossomed into an MVP in Chicago.”
$2000: “2011: This Clipper from Oklahoma who found success even sooner, winning the dunk contest that year.”

ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel said Warriors G Stephen Curry is “getting hammered on social media for his new shoe,” the Curry Lux Oxblood Leather from Under Armour. Kimmel: “People really seem to hate it. They say it looks like a couch, they say it looks like a dad shoe, it looks like the interior of an old car” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 4/10).

TBS’ Conan O’Brien said former NFL WR Titus Young was “sentenced to four years in prison. Young said he is sad to go to prison but happy to be reunited with his old teammates” (“Conan,” TBS, 4/11).

“Who is Herman Melville?”
Host Alex Trebek noted, “He mentions in the early parts of ‘Moby Dick’ references to the ‘leviathan, this great whale.’”

Correct responses to the “NBA Rookies of the Year” category:
$400: “Who are the Spurs?”
$800: “Who is LeBron James?”
$1200: “Who are the T’Wolves?”
$1600: “Who is Derrick Rose?”
$2000: “Who is Blake Griffin?”