When Pistons owner Karen Davidson opts to sell the team she could have trouble getting full market value.
There are a number of ways Davidson can approach selling the franchise, but Mike Bernacchi, professor of economics at Detroit Mercy, doesn't think the team will sell for the $479 million value Forbes magazine projected recently.
"If the negotiating price is based on the Forbes value, there's not going to be many takers," said Bernacchi.
"People say Detroit is a great sports town, but that is way overvalued. It has to be a value based on what's happening now. I am sure the negotiations are going to be tough. The Pistons will want to sell based on what they were and what they've done. The buyer will want to buy it for where they are now and for where they are headed in the future."
Wayne State economics professor Stephen Spurr is more optimistic, hoping that the unemployment rate will soon decline and that more people will attend Pistons games.
"This is not a permanent situation," Spurr said of the economy. "It's going to come back."