The Pistons are "eyeing the elimination of nearly half the 178 suites at the Palace of Auburn Hills as part of a major overhaul under" new Owner Tom Gores, according to Lombardo & Muret of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. A plan under discussion "calls for the team to convert 80 suites on the penthouse level, the arena's highest point, into more profitable spaces with ideas of a restaurant, social media gathering sites, and a sports hall of fame under consideration." The skyboxes are now "sold on a game-by-game basis and have proved to be a tough sell." No decisions "have been made on what could be done and the costs associated with the project." The Pistons have "not hired an architect for the revamp." Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment President Dennis Mannion said, "We just have too much (suite) inventory. Changing those suites will be rated against numerous capital-intense projects we are reviewing." Changes "already made at the arena under Gores include new locker rooms and player lounges, new lighting, a new playing floor and a rebranding of the arena's west atrium to include a new video wall and color scheme" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/30 issue).
