National City is main sponsor for Pistons

Delores Flynn / The Detroit News AUBURN HILLS -- The Detroit Pistons announced Wednesday its new sponsor -- National City bank -- for the 2008-09 season and playoffs. This marks only the second time in the team's history that a sponsor has been named. Rock Financial was the presenting sponsor for the last four years until the mortgage crisis caused them to scale back, Pistons President and CEO Tom Wilson said. The Livonia-based mortgage lender's chairman, Dan Gilbert, owns the Cleveland Cavaliers -- one of the Pistons' biggest rivals. National City will be included in various Pistons marketing efforts in television, radio and print ads and the company's logo will be a part of all ticket sales and pocket schedules. National City will also "during these hard economic times" help provide special game promotions and discounts on... [read full story]