Tom Gores has had limited success since acquiring the Detroit Pistons in 2011. Entering his 14th year as owner, the Pistons hold a 370-654 record with only two playoff appearances. Despite these struggles, Gores has thrived as a businessman. On Friday, September 27th, he added to his portfolio by purchasing a 27% stake in the Los Angeles Chargers.
A California resident, Gores will buy 24% from Dea Spanos Berberian and 1% from the other three Spanos siblings, Dean, Michael, and Alexis Spanos Ruhl. Notably, this deal gives Gores no governance rights over the team. However, some in Detroit may view this move as emblematic of a more significant issue with the Pistons. This move raises questions about his focus on rebuilding the Pistons. Let’s explore the concerns surrounding Gores’ leadership.
Tom Gores Buys Chargers Stake Amid Struggles As Pistons Owner
Tom Gores: Championing the Pistons and Their Community
In terms of investing in Detroit, Tom Gores has made significant strides. One of his most impactful decisions was relocating the Pistons from Auburn Hills to Little Caesars Arena, bringing the team back to Detroit full-time for the first time since 1978. Gores has also excelled at integrating the Pistons with the community, but that community involvement became a point of contention during the Pistons’ historic losing streak last season.
During a 119-111 loss to the Utah Jazz in December, the Pistons dropped their 25th straight game. As the final seconds ticked away, frustrated fans began chanting, “Sell the team.” Days later, Gores responded with a statement that didn’t land as he intended:
“They can say what they want, but that’s ridiculous. It’s ridiculous. Other than winning, and we should win more games, we do everything to bring the best to Detroit. Sell the team? They don’t understand what we’re doing in the community. I know we have to win more, but we’re taking care of and are in tune with the community. Me selling the team would be selling the community out. I’m not doing that. When you put basketball aside, we’ve made a very big difference in the community, and that means a lot to me. I understand that it will only mean a lot to people if we win, but the underpinnings of what’s happening with our community efforts over all these years are there. We’re doing multi-billion dollar things outside of basketball. I understand fans being upset, but it’s a ridiculous thought.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEqpmJey9gQ
The backlash was swift. Many saw Gores’ comments as missing the point. While his community efforts are commendable, his critics argue that other NBA owners have successfully balanced community investment with building competitive teams. Detroit’s frustration stems from a lack of on-court success, something no amount of community goodwill can overshadow.
Tom Gores Has Invested in the Pistons
Gores hasn’t shied away from investing in the Pistons’ future. The issue arises when those investments don’t pan out. From the ill-fated signings of Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, and Josh Smith to the coaching hires of Monty Williams, Dwayne Casey, and Stan Van Gundy, these were significant financial commitments that ultimately set the team back.
This summer’s hiring of Trajan Langdon is crucial. Langdon brings fresh basketball insight and a strategic approach that could steer the Pistons in the right direction. High-risk, high-reward decisions are made daily in business, but failure becomes inevitable without the right people to guide those choices. Gores’ challenge moving forward will be assembling a team that can finally turn those investments into success on the court.
The Last Word
Tom Gores’ tenure as a blend of business acumen and basketball setbacks has marked the Detroit Pistons’ owner. His investment in Detroit and efforts to integrate the Pistons into the community have undoubtedly made an impact off the court. However, on the court, the lack of consistent success has tested the patience of a passionate fanbase. While Gores’ business moves, like his recent stake in the Chargers, show his knack for expanding his portfolio, the real test lies ahead: whether he can turn his financial commitment to the Pistons into sustained winning. With the recent hiring of Trajan Langdon, Gores is betting on a new vision for the future. If the right decisions follow, the Pistons may finally be poised for a revival that matches the owner’s ambitions.
