Pistons work on deal to play in Little Caesars Arena for next season

DETROIT (WJBK) - The Pistons left Cobo Hall and Detroit in 1978 for the Pontiac Silverdome and now the team appears to be headed back.

The Pistons are working on a plan to move to the Red Wings new Little Caesars Arena for next year.

Fox 2 has confirmed with an NBA league source and a city of Detroit administration source that the league and city have had dialogue. 

But the sources agree that the NBA and the city are more like observers to the Mike Ilitch family - owners of the Red Wings - and Pistons owner Tom Gores.

"I think it will bring a lot more fans into Detroit," said fan Nathan Greene. "They have a hard time getting to the Auburn Hills games, all the traffic and the work that's going on, on I-75. I think it will really help out the Pistons and their fan base."

The Wings and Pistons are still working on sealing the deal. The time is now during construction to include an interchangeable basketball court and ice sheet like the ones used in Los Angeles and Denver.

The manager of the State Bar and the connected Fillmore, all one block down from the new arena says bringing the Pistons in makes sense.

"Just to add another pro sports team, especially the Pistons with the history of the franchise coming back downtown and add that to everything going on with that new arena," Ben Doughty said. "Forty-one nights it would be booming and with the playoffs, hopefully longer. It would be great for the area, and all the businesses down here."

But across from The Palace at the former Red Wing Dino Ciccarelli's sports bar in Auburn Hills, fans had a different view.

"I love them here in Auburn Hills," said fan Jason Thuss. "Because it brings a lot of business to Auburn Hills and we need to keep the business here in town."

If the Red Wings and Pistons can agree to share the new arena that announcement would be made soon. The Pistons home-opener is Thursday against the Orlando Magic.