Pistons owner Bill Davidson dies at 85
Detroit News staff
William Davidson, 85, longtime owner of the Detroit Pistons, died late Friday night. Davidson owned the Pistons since 1974 and also owned the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League. He is also the owner of Auburn Hills-based Guardian Industries
Davidson was the first owner to provide his team with their own plane, Roundball One, before the Pistons' first NBA Championship. The Palace of Auburn Hills, built in 1988, was professional sports' first privately owned and funded facility.
Davidson was known for his philanthropy, donating millions to the University of Michigan, his alma mater.http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090313/SPORTS0102/903130454
