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New arena in Detroit? What's wrong with The Palace?
I have no issue with the Ilitch family likely buying the Pistons and The Palace. I like the idea in many ways. Think it is a good thing.
But I do disagree with some of the blatant media cheerleading that is going on in regard to the possibility of it leading to a new arena, to house both the Red Wings and the Pistons, near Comerica Park and Ford Field in Detroit.
First of all, there is nothing wrong with The Palace. It is still state-of-the-art and - by the way - paid for, and a new arena in Detroit isn't going to be discernibly better.
Secondly, I heard from a very solid source that 70 percent of those buying tickets to Piston games since they moved to The Palace are from Oakland County. And it's more than 60 percent for Red Wing games at Joe Louis Arena. Seems like the more prudent thing to do is move the Red Wings to The Palace for awhile - if Joe Louis Arena is deemed too out-of-date.
Also, anybody who thinks a new arena is going to solve any of Detroit's major ills has their head buried in the sand.
Detroit's problems have long been corrupt "pay to play" government, abandoned homes and neighborhoods, crime and a flagging school system. That's where the focus should be.
A new arena in Detroit would be akin to putting a fancy hood ornament on a rusted out '75 avocado green Chevy Vega.
If Ilitch wants to put an arena in Detroit with his own money, you know, like William Davidson did with The Palace in Auburn Hills, cool. But otherwise, taxpayers should be wary - at least for awhile.
Random Thoughts
- I don't put much credence in close-but-no cigar losses by the Lions. An 0-4 start is just that - four straight defeats. Period. But it's the perception of the fans matters here. Are they buying into the tight losses being improvement? I think a sign will come whether the Lions sellout their game Sunday against the Rams.
- Despite losing to Arizona, I still see Iowa as clearly the second best team in the Big Ten behind Ohio State. The Hawkeyes were impressive in dismantling Penn State. But it was at Iowa. Happy Valley remains an ominous place to visit. It will be difficult for either or Michigan or Michigan State to win there.
But I do disagree with some of the blatant media cheerleading that is going on in regard to the possibility of it leading to a new arena, to house both the Red Wings and the Pistons, near Comerica Park and Ford Field in Detroit.
First of all, there is nothing wrong with The Palace. It is still state-of-the-art and - by the way - paid for, and a new arena in Detroit isn't going to be discernibly better.
Secondly, I heard from a very solid source that 70 percent of those buying tickets to Piston games since they moved to The Palace are from Oakland County. And it's more than 60 percent for Red Wing games at Joe Louis Arena. Seems like the more prudent thing to do is move the Red Wings to The Palace for awhile - if Joe Louis Arena is deemed too out-of-date.
Also, anybody who thinks a new arena is going to solve any of Detroit's major ills has their head buried in the sand.
Detroit's problems have long been corrupt "pay to play" government, abandoned homes and neighborhoods, crime and a flagging school system. That's where the focus should be.
A new arena in Detroit would be akin to putting a fancy hood ornament on a rusted out '75 avocado green Chevy Vega.
If Ilitch wants to put an arena in Detroit with his own money, you know, like William Davidson did with The Palace in Auburn Hills, cool. But otherwise, taxpayers should be wary - at least for awhile.
Random Thoughts
- I don't put much credence in close-but-no cigar losses by the Lions. An 0-4 start is just that - four straight defeats. Period. But it's the perception of the fans matters here. Are they buying into the tight losses being improvement? I think a sign will come whether the Lions sellout their game Sunday against the Rams.
- Despite losing to Arizona, I still see Iowa as clearly the second best team in the Big Ten behind Ohio State. The Hawkeyes were impressive in dismantling Penn State. But it was at Iowa. Happy Valley remains an ominous place to visit. It will be difficult for either or Michigan or Michigan State to win there.
Labels: Mike Ilitch William Davidson
posted by Pat Caputo at
1:14 PM
10 Comments
