This year NFL Draft took place in Detroit, between April 25 and 27. Everything went well at Campus Martius Park, with more than 700,000 fans in attendance over the three days. And this is not insignificant for the Pistons because NBA personnel had traveled to observe this event and meet local figures, including the city's mayor, Mike Duggan.
The idea is to see if the city is capable of hosting an All-Star Game and the festivities that go with it for three days.
“It was great to see NBA executives in Detroit over the weekend,” welcomes Richard Haddad, one of the leaders of the group that owns the Pistons. “We spent time meeting important people in the city. It was a chance to see the capabilities of Detroit and the enthusiasm that surrounds big events. Given how the weekend went, we couldn't have asked for a better showcase. »
Detroit has been waiting for an All-Star Game since 1959! Because if in 1979, the all-star game had been organized in Michigan, it was in Pontiac, and not in the “Motor City”.
“We've had discussions with the NBA for years about having events in Detroit, especially the All-Star Game. We are excited by this dialogue,” continues Richard Haddad. “This weekend was a good opportunity to show what Detroit can offer and to build momentum. »
A problem to solve: accommodation
The dynamic is therefore the NFL Draft in 2024, but also the men's NCAA Final Four in 2027. And so why not an All-Star Game in 2028, since before that is not possible, all cities (San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix) having been announced?
The problem is not the room, which is recent, but the lack of hotels. Because we need to be able to accommodate the entire NBA caravan in four or five star hotels for three days. The problem is about to be resolved with the construction of a five-star establishment, probably completed by 2028.
” It's really important. This obstacle will be eliminated over the coming years and this will strengthen the position we are working on: that of having major events”concludes Richard Haddad.
