October 21, 2025 | Articles Philanthropy The Pistons
Why Tom Gores and the Detroit Pistons donated $1 million to bring basketball to new Detroit riverfront park
DETROIT – For years, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has worked tirelessly to help bring a riverfront park to the city of Detroit.
It was an emotional moment for Donna Lindsey-Law, who has volunteered for the non-profit for more than a decade, when earlier this month she joined colleagues, community members and the Detroit Pistons for the first official walkthrough of the 22-acre Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park.
“I want to cry because this means so much that the riverfront would offer the community (a chance) to be involved in the development of such a beautiful thing that has come to life,” Law said. “
The Pistons and team owner Tom Gores donated $1 million to fund the construction of two open-air basketball courts and a multi-use gathering area for basketball programming and events for the park scheduled to open Oct. 25. The courts will be located in the William Davidson Sport House, which is named after the former Pistons owner who died in 2009.
The park honors Ralph C. Wilson Jr., the late owner of the Buffalo Bills who lived in Grosse Pointe Shores.
“Our basketball courts initiative has provided kids and Detroiters of all ages with healthy environments to stay active,” Gores said in a release. “We are excited to join the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy on this transformative project that can be used to foster recreation and community connection.”
The $80 million project features four main zones, and at more than 28,000 square feet, the Pistons-themed courts are located in zone four and feature a 2,000-square-foot skylight in a weather-protected space.
“I live on the east side of Detroit, so I’ve seen the Pistons’ courts in my neighborhood and all over the city and now right here at the sport house,” Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CEO Ryan Sullivan said. “You can really see and feel the presence of the Pistons through the city and how they keep delivering on the commitment they made when they moved the team back to the city.”
When Gores moved the team from Auburn Hills to Detroit in 2017, he made a commitment to investing in recreational activities for the city’s youth. A major pillar in Gores’ philosophy is providing positive change to the city.
In 2023, the Pistons organization completed the $2.5 million commitment to renovate 60 basketball courts over six years.
“On behalf of Tom Gores, we are excited to announce his involvement with the Riverfront Conservancy and extending our courts program with the building of two-full sized NBA basketball courts surrounding gathering areas for Detroiters of all ages to stay healthy, be active and enjoy the game of basketball,” Pistons Chief Communications Officer Kevin Grigg said.
The Pistons Neighbors Program, established in 2019, provides free activities like sports, live music, dance, yoga and art in partnership with the City of Detroit’s Parks & Recreation Department. The organization will collaborate with the Riverfront Conservancy and other community partners for programming at the new riverfront courts.
“This is really consistent with what Tom, (Pistons Vice Chairman) Arn Tellem, (Pistons COO) Rich Haddad and everyone at the organization has done,” Detroit Riverfront Conservancy board chair Matt Cullen said. “Not only did they bring the team back and turn it into a great team to watch, but they’re embracing the city in so many different ways and now bringing people down to the riverfront.”
DRC’s 20-member community advisory team has worked on the park since 2018.
“Families are looking for free places where they can have family time and fun,” construction manager Rhonda Collins said. “I feel like this park is going to do that; it’s hugely important that kids have outside time and time to be creative and they’ll be able to do that in this space.”
The park’s grand opening (Oct. 25th ) will feature a two-day Harvest festival where there will be food trucks, live entertainment and a concert by the famed Jackson family. For more information, click here.