The Pistons may have hit a big snag in their move downtown
By Duncan Smith
A lawsuit filed in federal court earlier this month may derail the Detroit Pistons plans to move downtown this season, according to the team’s chief financial officer.
According to Greg Campbell, chief financial officer of the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment, the team’s planned move downtown to Little Caesars Arena may be in jeopardy. A lawsuit filed in federal court on June 1st may end up proving to be more than a mere nuisance, as the NBA’s upcoming board meeting may be hard pressed to approve the move if there are outstanding financial issues.
Per the Detroit Free Press, Campbell stated in a sworn affidavit that the lawsuit (filed by activist Robert Davis and City Clerk candidate D. Etta Wilcoxon) might hamper the team’s plans to be housed in the arena in time for the preseason in October. The lawsuit claims that the Little Caesars Arena project should not be funded with public funds without the residents of the city of Detroit voting on it.
"“This uncertainty creates material financial risk to the Pistons and may affect the NBA’s evaluation of, and willingness to vote upon or approve of, the Pistons’ proposed relocation,” Campbell said in the affidavit. “The Pistons’ proposed relocation from Auburn Hills to the city remains subject to the approval of the National Basketball Association and its Board of Governors.”"
The NBA will hold its board meeting on July 11th, and no team is permitted to relocate without approval of its board of governors, and Campbell indicated significant concern that the league wouldn’t approve the move if all legal and financial issues between the team and the city of Detroit are not settled before that date.
Attorneys for the City of Detroit, City Council and others filed a motion last week to have the suit dismissed, claiming it is frivolous.
"“There is little time left to preserve the delicate balance of this complicated set of development agreements,” the attorneys wrote Friday. “If this lawsuit remains pending and if the NBA or the Pistons find that the financing plan is at risk, the damage to the city of Detroit’s redevelopment plans would be incalculable.”"
There will be a hearing on Monday to consider the suit to block public funding until a vote can take place.
The concerns raised in Campbell’s affidavit seems to signal a change in the communications coming from the Pistons. Recently Palace Sports and Entertainment Vice Chairman Arn Tellem stated unequivocally that there was “no chance. Zero” of any issue arising that could force the Pistons to return to the Palace of Auburn Hills this coming season.
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This begs the question: Is the situation suddenly grim and laden with unforeseen issues that may derail the process, or do the Pistons have a solution up their sleeves?