FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Media Relations Contacts: Kevin Grigg, Cletus Lewis Jr. or Michelle Fikany (248) 377-0135 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] February 18, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________ BAD BOYS UNITE TO HELP DETROIT AND CELEBRATE THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF 1989 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP Players Coming Back Together To Commemorate Iconic Team, Raise Money For Detroit Charities Private Fundraiser Event To Be Held March 27 Championship Team To Be Honored At Pistons vs. HEAT Game March 28 AUBURN HILLS, Mich – The Bad Boys and members of the 1989 NBA Championship team are coming together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of their first NBA Championship, a title that energized the City of Detroit and solidified the Bad Boys’ place in basketball history. A special charity fundraising event called “Bad Boys Unite” will take place on Thursday March, 27 at the Westin Book Cadillac hotel in Detroit. Team members will gather the following day for a special halftime celebration on Friday, March 28 when the Pistons take on the Miami HEAT at The Palace of Auburn Hills (7:30 p.m.). The 1988-89 Detroit Pistons won 63 regular-season games and stormed through the postseason beating the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and finally the Los Angeles Lakers. Team members included Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, John Salley, Mark Aguirre, Dennis Rodman, Vinnie Johnson, James Edwards, Rick Mahorn, John Long, Fennis Dembo and Micheal Williams. Constructed by Jack McCloskey and coached by the legendary Chuck Daly, Brendan Malone and Brendan Suhr, the 1989 team was cherished by fans in Detroit and gained national notoriety for their physical style of play. Hosted by the Come Together Foundation, “Bad Boys Unite” will raise funds for six local charities – Forgotten Harvest, Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Cornerstone Schools, Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, Rhonda Walker Foundation and CATCH (Sparky Anderson’s Charity for Children). “The Bad Boys mean so much to our franchise, our fans and the City of Detroit,” said Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores. “They played with toughness, passion and heart. They are champions. They reflect the spirit of the people of Michigan in so many ways. It is an honor to celebrate their legacy in a way that continues to inspire and give back to the community.” For fans interested in joining in the 25th anniversary celebration and cheering on this historic group of Pistons Legends, the Pistons vs. HEAT game on Friday, March 28 will include a special halftime ceremony featuring player introductions and video tributes that honor the “Bad Boys” and the 1989 NBA Championship team. “The 1989 NBA Championship is a special moment in our franchise’s history,” said Pistons President of Basketball Operations and 1989 NBA Finals MVP Joe Dumars. “Detroit fans supported our team with great passion and it’s fitting to commemorate the 25th anniversary of that team in a way that supports the city and connects with our fans.” “I’m pleased to help bring our team together again in a way that impacts the turnaround of this great city through education, youth development and basic needs.” said former team captain Isiah Thomas. “The Detroit community has always been important to us and I look forward to celebrating the history and tradition of the Pistons organization in a meaningful way.” -30-.