Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores announced that he has pawned the team to American Jewelry & Loan, the Detroit pawn shop owned by Les Gold. The day-to-day activities within American Jewelry & Loan are featured on the popular television reality show Hard Core Pawn.
“Tom came into the shop and wanted to pawn Will Bynum, Jonas Jerebko and Corey Maggette,” Gold told NBA-TV of the trio of veteran Pistons players. “I said no way, I want Jose,” as Gold preferred guard Jose Calderon.
According to Gores, “We kept on bargaining and before you know it, I ended up pawning the entire team,“ which hasn’t had a winning season in five years despite making the playoffs in 2008-09 with a losing record (39-43).
With game attendance declining at the Pistons home stadium, The Palace of Auburn Hills, Gold was asked what immediate plans for the teams are.
“We’ll clear some warehouse space at our Greenfield Road location and let the boys play there.”
“I told Les not to get too comfortable with owning the team,” Gores said. “I’ve got the pawn ticket in my wallet and I’ll be back before you know it to claim back the team.”
