Tom Gores: “We’re very close to a deal” to move Pistons downtown

Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores has confirmed the team is “very close to a deal” to move the franchise back downtown.

Prior to the team’s home opener against the Orlando Magic, Gores confirmed the reports that the Detroit Pistons have been negotiating with Olympia Entertainment to move into Little Caesars Arena at I-75 and Woodward Avenue during a pregame press conference:

"“If we’re going to do it, it’s going to be soon,” Gores said. “I’ve always been relatively transparent with you guys. We’re getting close. At the same time, I always want to appreciate The Palace and this great arena.”"

That means the Pistons could also have very well be playing their last home opener at the Palace of Auburn Hills last night:

Gores’s comments after media reports about a possible move reached a fever pitch in recent days.

The Detroit Pistons have been playing in the Palace of Auburn Hills since 1988. Bill Davidson, the owner of the team at the time, paid $90 million to build the facility out of his own pocket. The 28-year-old arena has also had more than $40 million in upgrades made to it since Gores bought the franchise.

Just two NBA arenas have been used for longer – the Madison Square Garden and Oracle Arena:

"“We’re serious about making this move and we should take it in and enjoy The Palace. It really has been a historic arena,” he said. “It’s a real credit for this arena to be as lively and functional as it is so many years later is really incredible. Whatever Mr. Davidson did in building it, he did an incredible job.”"

The Pistons have also not played in downtown Detroit since 1978, when it left Cobo Arena for the Pontiac Silverdome.

Gores is also reportedly planning to build a 60,000 square-foot team practice facility and headquarters north of the arena site. DBusiness also reported prior to the press conference that it would be located in a block surrounded by Woodward, Sproat Street, Temple Street, and Park Avenue. The new Pistons facility could mean the relocation of Hockeytown Café in the arena district.

Gores said the Pistons do not have a deal yet and declined to give many details:

"While he acknowledged that a potential deal is getting close, Gores declined going into much further detail about where the talks stand.“I don’t really want to get into the deal and want to respect the Ilitch family,” he said. “We’re very close in crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s. I don’t think that I should get into that right now.”"

There is also still a chance the negotiations could fall through. Rod Beard of the Detroit News noted there are still some significant issues to be discussed, according to anonymous sources. Gores said he felt confident in his conversations with the Ilitch family – which owns Olympia – so far.

As for the many reporters in attendance, such as 97.1 The Ticket’s Brian Chapman, some feel Gores is ready to make the move:

Any move would have to be officially approved by both the NBA and by Detroit’s Downtown Development Authority.

Related Story: Why moving the Pistons downtown makes financial sense

In other words, this year may be the final season fans get to see the Pistons take the court at the Palace.