Wayne State Univ. "will combine" with the Pistons to build a $25M basketball-specific facility on the western edge of its athletic fields, with plans for the NBA team to use it for G League games and "player development," according to Jesse & Ellis of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. The 70,000-square-foot building will be "on land that is currently vacant" and would seat 3,000. It will have "one main court that can be divided into two courts; five lockers rooms; coach's office, film room and conference room." Wayne State has "never had a dedicated basketball arena." The Pistons have "explored ways" to bring the G League Grand Rapids Drive "closer to metro Detroit for several years" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/2). In Detroit, John Niyo writes under the header, "Pistons Continue Putting Down Roots In Detroit" (DETROIT NEWS, 5/2).
BUMPY DRIVE AHEAD: In Detroit, Rod Beard notes construction "could be completed" late in '21 and the facility is "slated to be ready" for the start of the '21-22 basketball season. The Pistons will have a 30-year lease agreement, "providing the backbone of the financing for the project." Wayne State also will "sell naming rights to the new facility, but those negotiations have not begun." The Pistons’ commitment in the new deal "doesn’t bode well" for the Drive. Although both sides signed a two-year extension agreement that extends through '20-21, it is "unclear how things will move forward." The Pistons "don’t own the Drive but have an affiliate agreement." There "could be a buyout forthcoming or the Pistons could pursue an expansion G-League team, with approval from the NBA" (DETROIT NEWS, 5/2). Also in Detroit, James Hawkins notes the Drive released a statement "indicating the team isn't interested in moving to Detroit." Pistons Vice Chair Arn Tellum said, “We have a commitment that we can get an expansion team, and it may be an expansion team." He added, "We’ll have a clearer sense in the next few months" (DETROIT NEWS, 5/2).
