Pistons Chugging Along In Tough Economy; Ticket Sales, Revenue Face Decline

October 28, 2009 12:58 p.m. EST

Detroit, MI (AHN) - The Detroit Pistons are one team that is getting hit hard by the bad economy, and it seems they will be hit harder than the Tigers, Lions and Red Wings, all who have a more entrenched fan base than they enjoy.

With low expectations and even lower ticket sales, the Pistons are not expecting the kind of turnout that would make them proud or boost their coffers most other years.

The Sports Business Journal has provided some statistics on the present state of the Pistons. Season ticket renewals are presently at 50 percent, down from 80 percent last season.

General seats have also gone down in price by 10-15 percent this season, while season tickets were also dropped to about 50 percent in cost.

The journal also predicted that gate revenue is also expected to decline about 20 percent, though the actual forecasted revenue has not been announced.

Lastly, only four of eight bunker suites have sold out - ranging in price from $350,000 to $500,000. As far as regular suites go, 40 out of 190 have not been leased.

Detroit's awful economy, which includes a jobless rate of over 30 percent due in part to the struggling auto industry, plays a large part in the Pistons lagging ticket sales.

A lot of the guarantees the Pistons used to bring to the court are also gone.

The team is no longer a championship contender, as new talent takes to the court.

The Pistons play and fortunes, in more ways than one, are more uncertain than the economy.