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The news of Checketts' involvement coincides with former Knicks great Patrick Ewing's emergence late last week as a candidate for the Pistons' coaching vacancy. Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars continues to serve as Detroit's lead basketball decision-maker, with Gores announcing when he officially took control of the franchise earlier this month that "we're going to lean on [Dumars] pretty heavily." ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Coaching, Patrick Ewing, Tom Gores, Dave Checketts 

Yet sources said that Gores is also taking a level of input from Checketts, who headed up New York's management structure when the Knicks were built around Ewing. NBA.com reported Friday that the Pistons had expanded their coach search to include Ewing, who currently serves as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic. It was not immediately known if the Pistons plan to add more candidates to their search, but Ewing has joined former NBA head coaches Mike Woodson and Lawrence Frank and current NBA assistants Kelvin Sampson (Milwaukee) and Bill Laimbeer (Minnesota) on Detroit's list of potential replacements for John Kuester. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Mike Woodson, Coaching, Patrick Ewing, Kelvin Sampson, Tom Gores, Bill Laimbeer, Dave Checketts 

Laimbeer, who battled Ewing for years as the Pistons' fixture in the middle in their "Bad Boys" era, interviewed for the Detroit job last Wednesday. His chances of landing the position were initially described as remote given that the Pistons, according to NBA coaching sources, were said to be seeking a replacement for Kuester with head coaching experience. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Coaching, Patrick Ewing, Tom Gores, Bill Laimbeer, Dave Checketts 

Vincent Goodwill: Checketts expected to serve in role as consultant until July. To my understanding, Dumars not affected by this #Pistons Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Joe Dumars, Tom Gores, Dave Checketts 

"If we don't show progress, I'll be one of the most impatient people." Strong words from new Pistons owner Tom Gores in an interview with Channel 7's Don Shane. Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Tom Gores 

Not only has Gores given strong support to Dumars, but he's also not pressuring Dumars to take shortcuts. Dumars will have the green light to build the team the right way in the next three years. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Joe Dumars, Tom Gores 

Tom Gores made his billions by identifying companies he could buy cheaply, fix and spin off for a tidy profit. Insiders say he used his acumen at spotting a good deal to get the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment Inc. for a price far below what they expected: $325 million. That's for both the National Basketball Association franchise and the umbrella management company. The sale price from the deal, which closed Wednesday, was confirmed by a source with direct knowledge of the deal. Crain's

Detroit Pistons, Tom Gores 

One insider familiar with pro sports franchise sales, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, was flabbergasted at what Gores paid to assume majority ownership from Karen Davidson. "That is a shocking price," he said. "If he got the team and the real estate (for $325 million), are you kidding me? They ripped her face off." The Pistons sold for $125 million less than the last NBA team to change hands: The Golden State Warriors were sold for $450 million in July. Crain's

Detroit Pistons, Tom Gores 

Gores, 46, owns Los Angeles-based Platinum Equity LLC. A source familiar with the situation said Gores paid for much of the transaction with his own money. There will be a minority investment in the sale by one of the private equity funds controlled by Gores, the $2.75 billion Platinum Equity Capital Partners II. In March, Forbes.com estimated that Gores is worth $2.4 billion, making him the 161st-richest American and 488th-wealthiest person in the world. Gores launched Platinum Equity in 1995. It reported about $11 billion in revenue last year from its portfolio of 35 companies, many of which were troubled or in distressed sectors when Platinum inserted its turnaround teams to boost profitability. Financing the Pistons-PS&E sale are Comerica Bank and Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Group Inc. PNC is the team's presenting sponsor. Two New York City firms, Goldman Sachs and SCP Worldwide, advised Platinum Equity on the acquisition. Crain's

Detroit Pistons, Tom Gores 

Davidson retained New York-based Citi Private Bank Sports Advisory to act as financial advisers on a sale. Citi has declined to comment throughout the entire process. She also was represented by Birmingham-based Williams, Williams, Rattner & Plunkett P.C. Other firms involved in the sale included Bloomfield Hills-based Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP and Chicago-based Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. William Davidson bought the Pistons for $8 million in 1974 from Fred Zollner, who had moved the franchise to Detroit from Fort Wayne, Ind. Zollner founded the team there in 1957. Crain's

Detroit Pistons, Tom Gores 

When did you first realize you were wealthy enough to own a sports team if you wanted? Tom Gores: Oh, geez, I don't know. A few years ago. It's not really the business we're in. But this is such a unique situation where it really could use someone like me to help it transition and transform. ... I always want to create value; I never want to buy value. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Tom Gores 

If it hadn't been the Pistons, would you ever have considered buyinganother sports team? Tom Gores: Well, for sure it would have been a team here (in Michigan). You can't replace where you grew up. As much as I love Los Angeles -- and I live in Los Angeles -- you can't replace the Lions,Pistons, Tigers, you can't replace those memories, right? Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Tom Gores 

Do you think it's possible for anowner to be friends with his players? Tom Gores: I think you can be friendly. I think you can be friends. But you both have to draw lines. If you're good friends with one player and he's getting away with something the whole team can't get away with, that's not correct. We run a family. If someone is taking advantage of the relationship, that's not good. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Tom Gores 

With new owner Tom Gores finally in charge, the Detroit Pistons are ready to begin rebuilding. And Joe Dumars is still a big part of their plan. "We're going to lean on him pretty heavy. He knows basketball, and we're going to push Joe. He knows that," Gores said. "Our job is to challenge Joe." ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Joe Dumars, Tom Gores 

NBA sources and observers say Gores will spend about $320 million to purchase the Pistons, the arena and the entertainment properties, which include DTE Energy Music Theater and Meadow Brook Music Festival. It is a far cry from a value that was generally agreed to be about $475 million two years ago. The actual cost for the entire package is closer to $400 million, experts say. But some of the money will flow back to Gores, in terms of guarantees, and some dollars are "soft," according to one source. "It was somewhere between zero and six," Gores said with a wry smile, meaning zero dollars and $600 million. Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Tom Gores 

Villanueva, Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon were seated in the fifth row during Gores' introduction. "I'm glad that we can leave the past behind us now," Villanueva said. "He seems like a very passionate guy, a very determined guy. It seems like he'll do whatever it takes in order to win. I'm looking forward to that." ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Ben Gordon, Rodney Stuckey, Tom Gores 

The Detroit Pistons will introduce it's new owner Tom Gores today at 4:30pm. Watch it live below thanks to our friends at FoxSportsNet Detroit. The team said the sale of Palace Sports and Entertainment and the Pistons to Gores and his investment firm, Platinum Equity, was formally completed Wednesday, one day after NBA Commissioner David Stern said the league's Board of Governors had approved Gores' purchase of the franchise. MyFOXDetroit.com

Detroit Pistons, David Stern, Tom Gores 

Investor Tom Gores is now officially the owner of the Detroit Pistons. The team says the sale was formally completed Wednesday, one day after NBA Commissioner David Stern said the league's Board of Governors had approved Gores' purchase of the franchise. Gores takes over following a drawn-out sale by owner Karen Davidson that stretched back before the season. SI.com

Detroit Pistons, Karen Davidson, David Stern, Tom Gores 

Charlie Villanueva: Congrats to Mr. Tom Gores and thank you to David Stern and the @NBA Board for making this possible. New chapter, better days ahead Detroit. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, David Stern, Tom Gores 

Vincent Ellis: Source just told me no decision on Q until Tom Gores takes over. #Pistons. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Coaching, John Kuester, Tom Gores