Detroit Pistons = Record Merchandise Numbers

Team Reports Second Highest Day of Season Versus Cleveland; Online and Off-Site Sales Reporting Significant Numbers
The online store, PalaceLockerRoomStore.com, increased sales by 500 percent compared to the 2003-04 season.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Officials from the Detroit Pistons report that merchandise numbers are up significantly - more than 43% overall -- for the 2005-06 season at the Pistons Locker Room Store and concourse satellite stores located at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

This past Sunday, when the Pistons hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers, merchandise sales posted the second highest daily total of the season. Officials report per cap sales, or the sales per person at Pistons games, is up 32% and attendance at the Locker Room and satellite stores is up 18%.

Sales online have also been brisk and officials report a 53% increase on www.pistons.com over last year. Sales at the “off-site” Locker Room store at Great Lakes Crossing are up a modest 13% overall, but are up 39% from November 1, 2006 (the beginning of the season).

“This year’s numbers are particularly rewarding because they show a significant increase over what was a record-setting year last year,” said Tom Wilson, CEO for the Detroit Pistons. “A 40% increase in business, any business, should be considered a major accomplishment. I think we credit our players, the popularity of our teamwork philosophy and the fact that we listened to our fans, who asked us for more variety, particularly on the women’s apparel side of things.”

Officials also report the most popular merchandise items have been the Pistons red alternate jerseys (which have been re-stocked three times this season), the Pistons 2006 All-Star jerseys (of which, there are a limited number issued by the NBA) and the Pistons pink jerseys for ladies (currently out of stock).

“We are doing playoff-comparable numbers during the regular season,” said Larry Morris, director of retail operations for the Pistons. “And we anticipate continued strong sales increases.”

Earlier in the year, the NBA named the Detroit Pistons the “2005 Team Retailers of the Year.” The annual award recognizes the NBA’s most successful merchandising operations in the categories of arena and Internet sales, merchandise presentation and licensee support.

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 merchandise numbers for the Detroit Pistons, please contact The Palace at (248) 377-0100.