AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - January 3, 2006 - The Detroit Pistons will sell-out their 100th consecutive game this Friday, January 6 when they host the Seattle Sonics for an 8:00 p.m. contest. The streak, which began January 19, 2004 during the 2003-04 season, includes regular and post-season games at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Capacity for a basketball game is 22,076.
“This is quite a mark to hit, especially when you consider where we were just five years ago, AND we have the largest building in the NBA,” said Pistons CEO Tom Wilson. “The milestone is a great testament to the loyalty of our fans, and it is also a great testament to the hard work put in by the players and our organization. When you give fans a great experience, they will reward you.”
The Pistons record in the 99 games during the sell-out streak is 78-21 and includes two trips to the NBA Finals in 2004 and 2005.
In recognition and celebration of the streak, the Pistons have made plans to thank fans, both at the 100th sell-out game and throughout the state of Michigan. On their Web site, www.pistons.com, the Pistons are hosting a contest and will randomly select 100 winners. The Grand Prize winner will receive a package that includes every giveaway item from the 2005-06 regular season. Web features are also planned to list the 100 Greatest Pistons players of all-time and the 100 Greatest Pistons moments in history.
During the game, the Pistons will distribute 100 Domino’s pizzas to fans. They will also pass out 100 commemorative basketballs to fans and will drop 100 parachutes during the Rock Financial parachute drop promotion. Each fan can enter-to-win an authentic, autographed Rasheed Wallace jersey and the players will address the fans before the game, thanking them for 100 consecutive sell-outs. One fan, randomly selected from the pool of those that have been in attendance at all 100 games, will assist in changing out the number on the sell-outs banner at The Palace.
The night will also be a “Flashback Friday” honoring Pistons Bad Boy Bill Laimbeer. During a halftime ceremony, the team will unveil Laimbeer’s name and number 40 permanently secured on the sidelines of the court. Before the game, 10,000 commemorative Laimbeer figurines, courtesy of Marathon and The Detroit Free Press, will be distributed.
Rock Financial, Michigan’s largest mortgage company, is the presenting sponsor for the 2005-06 Detroit Pistons. For more information about Rock Financial, please visit www.rockfinancial.com. For more information regarding Flashback Fridays or to become a member of the Detroit Pistons Crew (ticket plan holders), please contact The Palace at (248) 337-0100 or log on to www.pistons.com.