'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 63

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/B ... -slam-dunk

Pistons' future far from a slam dunk
Speculation flies about whether team and arena for sale. Selling the Detroit Pistons might be the easy part. Word Monday that Karen Davidson might consider selling her late husband William's beloved Pistons created possibilities of a complex combination of potential deals. A person close to the situation told the Free Press on Monday that the Pistons are not for sale now, but could be soon. Such a sale by heirs would not be unusual following the death of such a dominating leader as William Davidson. Adding more complexity to the mix was speculation that a sale could include a partnership with the Ilitch family, perhaps to build an arena that would host the Pistons and the Ilitch-owned Detroit Red Wings hockey team. In the most basic possible formula, Karen Davidson could sell the Pistons and, perhaps separately, Palace Sports & Entertainment, the umbrella group that owns and operates the Palace of Auburn Hills and DTE Energy Music Theatre and manages Meadow Brook Music Festival. The Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment are owned separately, and each has its own roster of partners or directors, although William Davidson was the majority owner since he bought the Pistons in the 1970s and built the Palace in 1988.

The Ilitch family owns the Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, the Fox Theatre and Little Caesars Pizza. The family has been reported for many months to be talking to Palace Sports & Entertainment about a possible lease for the Red Wings to play hockey temporarily at the Palace while repairs are made at the aging Joe Louis Arena, which opened in Detroit in 1979.
For several years, the Ilitches have been buying land near the Fox Theatre in moves considered by many to be a prelude to building a hockey arena on the north edge of downtown. For that reason, the notion that the Ilitches might consider moving to a new arena in Oakland County raised several questions:
• Would Canadian hockey fans, not to mention Downriver residents, want to trek up to northern Oakland County to watch the Red Wings?
• Would Mike and Marian Ilitch, civic boosters who moved their business and entertainment empire to downtown Detroit in the 1980s and triggered the construction of Comerica Park for the Tigers, really abandon the city for the suburbs?
Reached Monday morning, longtime Red Wings Senior Vice President Jimmy Devellano said, "I've never heard that, and I know nothing about it, and I talk to the Ilitches all the time." That might suggest that any new arena would be built in Detroit instead of Oakland County. But would potential buyers of the Palace of Auburn Hills be willing to buy that arena knowing that the Pistons would be leaving soon, wiping out at least 40 dates a year for ticket sales, concessions and parking revenue?
Consider: The Memphis Grizzlies basketball team reportedly has been on the market for several years, but owner Michael Heisley can't find a buyer. However, the Pistons would be considered a more attractive option if an owner would control the Palace, too. The FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., where the Grizzlies play, is owned by the city.

If the Pistons continue to play in the Palace after a sale of the team, the venue itself might fetch a good price. On the entertainment front, Palace Sports & Entertainment is the region's most powerful venue operator. The DTE Energy Music Theatre has ranked for years as the country's busiest summer amphitheater, drawing more than 600,000 patrons a year for concerts and other events, while the Palace typically rates high among arenas. Davidson died in March and left an estate estimated at $4 billion. Besides the Pistons and the Palace, his empire included Guardian Industries, one of the world's major glass suppliers. Forbes Magazine, in annual valuations of sports teams, ranked the Pistons as the NBA's fourth most valuable team out of 30 franchises, worth an estimated $479 million. The Pistons trail only the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls in terms of worth. Any sale of the team would be hampered by the recession and worldwide credit crunch. But selling the team by itself would be infinitely easier than trying to put together a deal with the Ilitches that includes the construction of one new arena and the sale of several existing venues.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/B ... -slam-dunk

Any takers?
With an estimated value of $479 million, the NBA's Detroit Pistons are well beyond the reach of most people around here. But a few might be able to swing a deal if interested.

Peter Karmanos: Compuware CEO owns NHL's Carolina Hurricanes; no known interest in basketball, but Pistons would certainly fill 3,800-seat Compuware Arena in Plymouth.
Dan Gilbert: Quicken Loans/Rock Financial boss already majority owner of Cleveland Cavs; maybe he sells out to buy Pistons -- and brings King James to the Palace?
Dick DeVos: Amway scion is avid sportsman; spent $35 million running for governor in '06, so he knows about expensive losing. VanAndel pals from Grand Rapids already own Orlando Magic.
Roger Penske: Iconic local business/civic leader chaired Detroit Super Bowl committee, big in auto racing. Cars have pistons. ...
Jon Stryker: Very private Kalamazoo billionaire does low-profile philanthropy. Not the center court type.
Earvin (Magic) Johnson: Lansing native and ex-MSU, NBA star already part-owner of Lakers, but could sell out and assemble dream team to buy and manage Pistons.
Mike Ilitch: Little Caesars guy already has Red Wings and Tigers. Up for some hoops?
Manuel (Matty) Moroun: Probably too high-profile for publicity-shy Ambassador Bridge owner. But he knows about passing lanes.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/B ... -slam-dunk

NBA and NHL teams that share a home
Atlanta:
NBA's Hawks and NHL's Thrashers: Philips Arena, since 1999
Boston:
NBA's Celtics and NHL's Bruins: TD Garden, since 1995
Chicago:
NBA's Bulls and NHL's Blackhawks: United Center, since 1994
Dallas:
NBA's Mavericks and NHL's Stars: American Airlines Center, since 2001
Denver:
NBA's Nuggets and NHL's Avalanche: Pepsi Center, since 1999
Los Angeles:
NBA's Lakers and Clippers and NHL's Kings: Staples Center, since 1999
New York:
NBA's Knicks and NHL's Rangers: Madison Square Garden, since 1968
Philadelphia:
NBA's 76ers and NHL's Flyers: Wachovia Center, since 1996
Toronto:
NBA's Raptors and NHL's Maple Leafs: Air Canada Centre, since 1999
Washington:
NBA's Wizards and NHL's Capitals: Verizon Center, since 1997

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/C ... e-new-home?

Could Wings, Pistons share new home?
Davidson's widow must decide about his empire; Wings' lease up June 30. Every other business in metro Detroit is in a state of upheaval, so why not our professional sports teams and entertainment venues, too?

There's ample reason to believe big changes may be brewing for the ownership of the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings: Longtime Pistons owner Bill Davidson died in March, and as details of his complex $4-billion estate are settled, it's logical that his widow, Karen Davidson, and other heirs are contemplating a sale of the basketball team and related ventures. The Pistons say the team is not for sale -- now.Meanwhile, the Ilitch family, owners of the Red Wings and Detroit Tigers, faces the lease at Joe Louis Arena expiring June 30.

It's no secret that the Ilitches would love to build a hockey stadium on land they own downtown. And if that's the play, isn't it intriguing to think about building a dual-purpose venue that might tempt the Pistons to come back to downtown Detroit? But there also are compelling reasons why no major deals can be done right away.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/B ... -slam-dunk

NBA cities without an NHL team
Charlotte: Time Warner Cable Arena, since 2005
Cleveland: Quicken Loans Arena, since 1994
Golden State (Oakland, Calif): Oracle Arena, since 1997
Houston: Toyota Center, since 2003
Indiana (Indianapolis): Conseco Fieldhouse, since 1999
Memphis: FedExForum, since 2004
Milwaukee: Bradley Center, since 1988
New Orleans: New Orleans Arena, since 2002
Oklahoma City: Ford Center, since 2008
Orlando: Amway Arena, since 1989
Portland: Rose Garden Arena, since 1995
Sacramento: ARCO Arena, since 1988
San Antonio: AT&T Center, since 2002
Utah (Salt Lake City): EnergySolutions Arena, since 1991

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/C ... e-new-home?

Economy could temporarily put the brakes on sale
Karen Davidson faces some big decisions. Does she really want to own and run the pro basketball and entertainment empire built by her late husband? And if the answer is no, could it -- or should it -- be sold in pieces or as a package deal? There's potential on the horizon for a major shake-up of the Detroit sports scene. But the shape of things to come will be influenced greatly by the region's still-weak economy and the details of settling Bill Davidson's huge, complex estate.

Across town, members of the Ilitch family, owners of the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, face a conundrum of their own. Do they renew the lease on the Wings' 31-year-old home, Joe Louis Arena, which expires June 30? And if the answer is no, do they build a new stadium? Could -- or should -- the Wings and Pistons share a new arena? As intriguing as the possibilities are, plenty of obstacles are in the way:
• First, the economy still stinks. Sports teams are rarely moneymakers anyway, and it's harder than it's been in decades to fill seats at the Joe and the Davidson-owned Palace of Auburn Hills.
• What's more, credit remains excruciatingly tight. That means potential buyers of a franchise like the Pistons, or potential builders of arenas like the Ilitches, would have trouble attracting outside financing. In 2008, Bill Davidson's umbrella company, Palace Sports & Entertainment, cut a deal to sell the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team. But when time came to close the transaction, the new owner's financing fell through -- so PS&E still holds the note and could get the Lightning back if the new owner defaults on the debt.
• Lastly, the process of settling the huge Davidson estate is mind-numbingly complex and will take at least several years to complete, according to people familiar with Davidson's will and Internal Revenue Service procedures for determining taxable values of major assets before disbursement to the heirs. It's assumed that Karen Davidson is the sole or primary heir on things like residential property, but other assets are distributed among various trusts. And high-value assets must have IRS-approved appraisals, so finalizing things will be a lengthy process.

After Davidson's death in March at age 86, separate boards of directors were established to run Guardian Industries, the chief source of his fortune, along with his charitable foundation and the sports teams and entertainment venues. It is generally agreed by those familiar with the estate that Karen Davidson is the primary owner of the Pistons and PS&E -- and could thus force a sale of the team and venues if she wishes. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Karen Davidson had listed a vacation complex called Stony Creek Ranch near Aspen, Colo., for sale for $47 million. She could not be reached for comment Monday. There's no telling how much the Pistons, Palace and other properties might fetch if and when Karen Davidson decides to sell them. Forbes Magazine recently estimated the Pistons' value at $479 million, but in a wobbly market with a dearth of likely buyers, that's probably wishful thinking. Selling the Pistons today would be like selling a stock at its 52-week low, which is just one of several reasons not to expect a big deal right away.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/S ... tons-again

Streakers
The Pistons, whose three-game winning streak ended Monday, have had a season full of streaks:

STREAK DATES NOTABLE
3 wins Nov. 8-14 Improved to 5-4
7 losses Nov. 15-27 0-4 on tough West trip
5 wins Dec. 4-12 Big win over Denver
13 losses Dec. 15-Jan. 11 One off franchise record
3 wins Jan. 12-16 Now 3-0 vs. Wizards

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/C ... -ownership?

New ownership might sweep our sports landscape
Maybe the Pistons will be for sale soon and maybe they won't. I'll keep looking for them on eBay. Meanwhile, this much is clear: Detroit needs a new generation of sports ownership for all four of its pro teams. New ownership might come from within. It might come from outside. But in the lousy Michigan economy inside a struggling U.S. economy -- a tornado wrapped in a hurricane -- it has to come from somewhere. For Bill Davidson, Mike Ilitch and William Clay Ford Sr., owning a Detroit-based team was or has been a fundamental part of their self-image. When they looked in the mirror, they saw their teams. (It would be nice if Ford also looked at the standings once in a while, but, hey, nobody is perfect.) Davidson died last year. Ilitch is 80. Ford is 84. When Karen Davidson took over the Pistons last year, it was the first step in what looks like an extended period of transition in Detroit sports. The last time a Detroit team was sold was in 1992, when Ilitch bought the Tigers from fellow pizza magnate Tom Monaghan. That is a combined 72 consecutive years of continuous ownership for Detroit's four teams -- astounding stability.

During that time, nobody has hinted that they might move a team. Even when Ilitch tried to get taxpayer money for a new baseball stadium and a potential new hockey arena, he never really flirted with other cities. Will Detroit be so lucky for the next 20 years? We like to think that this is the best sports town in the country and teams would be foolish to bolt. But it doesn't matter what you and I think. What matters is that the owners feel that way. Oddly, the team with the most certain future is the one that has the most pathetic present. The Lions surely will end up in the hands of Bill Ford Jr., and while nobody knows if he will be a great owner, he should at least be a different owner. He should be more aggressive, more flexible, more willing to fire executives who fail. He should at least give the Lions a chance. And, best of all, Ford has every possible tie to the state: family history, his auto company, his stadium. The Lions aren't going anywhere. (Uh ... I mean that in a good way.)

As for Ilitch's sports empire: He seems poised to hand the reins to his son Chris. But that is not as clear a line of succession as it might seem. First, it is always possible that Ilitch's daughter Denise returns to the picture. Second, with the exception of Mike, the Ilitches are hockey people, not baseball people. It is no secret that during the Tigers' darkest years, while others wondered why he needed the headache (and the red ink), Mike was the one who wanted to keep the team. Maybe Chris Ilitch will keep the team for a few decades. But it is hard to imagine him jacking the payroll up to $130 million, losses be damned, because he desperately wants to win the World Series. There aren't many owners who would do what Mike Ilitch has done lately.
If you assume (as I do) that the Red Wings will stay within the Ilitch family, that still leaves the question of where they will play. It will take savvy ownership and creativity to build a hockey arena in this economy. And this brings us back to the Pistons. They were Bill Davidson's baby. Karen Davidson inherited them, and she might not want to keep them. They have been wildly successful over the past decade under the ideal modern sports model: They are the centerpiece of an entertainment conglomerate, their owner also owned their arena, and the businesspeople (mostly) let the basketball people do their jobs. It seems simple, but many cities have struggled to build that model. If you are a sports fan in this town, you have to hope that Karen Davidson keeps the model, or finds somebody who will. And that the Tigers and Lions end up in safe hands, too.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/S ... tons-again

Injuries bugging Pistons again
Guess it was too much to ask the Pistons to extend their three-game winning streak while missing five key players most of the game Monday. It wasn't surprising that with only eight players, the Pistons (14-26) ran out of steam in the fourth quarter and lost, 99-91, to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Rip Hamilton (stomach illness) joined Tayshaun Prince (left knee), Ben Gordon (right groin) and Will Bynum (left ankle) on the injured list before the game, and Chris Wilcox (back) joined them at halftime.

The Pistons overcame a 14-point halftime deficit and took a 70-68 lead into the fourth but faltered afterward. "We had guys playing big minutes, and it just caught up to us down the stretch," said Ben Wallace, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds. "I got stuck in mud one or two trips down the floor and allowed Jared Jeffries to get two or three offensive rebounds, and when you're going back and forth, that can cost you the game."

Coach John Kuester often talks about how players have to lie to their bodies when fatigued, and he didn't think his team responded when the Knicks (17-24) made their run. "As hard as we fought, when you take the lead you got to show poise in that situation," Kuester said.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/S ... teammates-

Ben Wallace inspires his Piston teammates
You don't expect Hakeem Olajuwon impersonations from Ben Wallace. But that's what you got midway through the third quarter Monday when Wallace nailed a turnaround, fade-away jumper along the left baseline over a Knicks defender. It was that kind of day for Wallace, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds -- including a stretch in the first quarter in which he scored 10 points in a row for the Pistons.

The Pistons lost, 99-91, but Wallace's performance this season has inspired his younger teammates. "He's 35 years old doing big-time things," Charlie Villanueva said. "He's playing like he's 25. Grabbing all these rebounds and playing with a lot of energy. He still has a lot more years in this league."

Although Wallace is criticized for his lack of offense, he is effective on offense because of his basketball IQ. He makes good decisions, and the offense flows when he's on the floor.
"When we move the ball, good things happen for everybody," said Wallace, averaging 4.9 points and 9.4 boards. "Everybody on this team is capable of scoring. "We just got to move the ball around and force teams to make mistakes on defense, and when they make mistakes you got to capitalize on it." Wallace's defender almost always is the designated help defender, which means Wallace can slip into the paint for lay-ups, dunks or offensive rebounds.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/S ... teammates-

NOTEBOOK: Villanueva has more spring in his step the past few games thanks to a massage therapist who did wonders on his sore right foot.

He returned to tossing down emphatic dunks recently, scoring 16 points against the Knicks. "It used a lot of pressure, and it kind of released because it felt like really tight. I can't explain it," Villanueva said. "It was just like something released. It felt a lot looser." ...

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/S ... teammates-

Rookie Austin Daye started in place of Rip Hamilton (stomach illness) and scored 16 points on 7-for-14 shooting, although he was 0-for-6 on three-point attempts.

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http://twitter.com/detroit_pistons

Freep: Ben Wallace inspires his Piston teammates: NEW YORK -- You don't expect Hakeem Olajuwon impersonations from... http://bit.ly/8bsQ1f

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http://twitter.com/detroit_pistons

Freep: Recap: Knicks 99, Pistons 91: WHAT HAPPENED: The Pistons overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to take a bri... http://bit.ly/6oEdEq

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http://twitter.com/detroit_pistons

Freep: Michael Rosenberg: Will our teams be safe in hands of new ownership?: Maybe the Pistons will be for sale so... http://bit.ly/5xX5VN

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http://twitter.com/detroit_pistons

Freep: New York 99, Pistons 91: Injuries bugging Pistons again: Guess it was too much to ask the Pistons to extend... http://bit.ly/6jYSA2

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http://twitter.com/detroit_pistons

DetNews: Jerry Stackhouse will be with Bucks by Wednesday: Jerry Stackhouse will join the Bucks when they return... http://twurl.nl/jjqd0m

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DetNews: Ben Wallace has 16 points and 14 rebounds for short-handed team: With a defender on his back, Wallace m... http://twurl.nl/xv2gdt

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/S ... 1051/rss16

Recap: Knicks 99, Pistons 91
WHAT HAPPENED: The Pistons overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to take a brief lead in the second half only to see their three-game winning streak end. The effort was there as the Pistons had 27 second-chance points to the Knicks' six. But Pistons coach John Kuester lamented the lack of poise his young team -- missing five key players most of the game -- displayed down the stretch. Ben Wallace contributed another monster outing with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Rodney Stuckey, forced to be the Pistons' primary scorer, netted 22 points on 8-for-26 shooting.

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100119/S ... 1051/rss16

TURNING POINT: The beginning of the fourth quarter, when Kuester was forced to use his bench. The two-point lead quickly turned into a deficit.