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With the current struggles of the Detroit Pistons, the people at Palace Sports and Entertainment might consider transposing a few words in the company title.
It might better be called Palace Entertainment and Sports.
The entertainment portion of the Auburn Hills-based business is booming, while the Pistons are lagging at the gate compared with a year ago.
First the good news: The Pine Knob Music Theatre in Independence Township, acquired by the principals of Palace Sports in 1990, was the nation's top-drawing and top-grossing amphitheater last year.
The outdoor venue had attendance of 967,000 and gross revenue of $24.1 million, blowing away the competition, especially in attendance. Its nearest competitor attracted 603,000 people, according to Amusement Business.
The 22,000-seat Palace of Auburn Hills also more than held its own nationally against bigger and, in most cases, newer buildings.
The Palace's gross revenue of $27.2 million placed fourth among all indoor arenas last year. It sold 621,203 concert tickets, second...