“Piston’s selling newest suites at lower prices” by Heather Hileman, Volume 8 Issue 43 pg 4

The Detroit Pistons are citing the downturn of the auto industry as a reason for offering lower prices and partial-season purchase options for a new set of premium seats coming on line. The five suites the Pistons built last year leased for $450,000 annually over five years. The suits are built under the stands at the Palace of Auburn Hills, however, the well appointed suites do not have a view of the court, but the suites do come with four front row seats and eight other seats within the area’s first five rows. Each suite deal also includes a $50,000 food allowance and $20,000 ticket allowance to other arena events, as well as back-of-the-house access.
The demand for the suites prompted the club to build eight more suites as part of the addition of an atrium to the north end of the Palace. In order to appeal to a broader range of potential buyers, the additional suites are being leased at $350,000 per year. In addition, instead of bunker suites’ five-year deals, the Pistons are leasing fractional shares for the new suites. The minimum share is a quarter season. They are basically looking for time-share buys, and when business comes, people will hopefully want more than they have today.
Deals with the new suites provide four fourth-row seats and eight other seats located within the first ten rows. The same food and ticket allowances apply as for the bunker suites, but there is no back-of-the-house access. The deals signed now are being prorated for the remainder of this year’s regular season and playoffs.
These bunker suites are new phenomena. This is another way for advertising. However, you are going to have to be a company who can afford these top notch prices for the suites. It is amazing how much a company would pay for the season to stay at these bunker suites and get the tickets as well. I can’t even fathom paying a quarter of that amount due to the fact that I don’t have that kind of cash. But, then again some people can.