The Detroit News' early morning report has been corroborated by a Detroit Free Press report this afternoon, but they've also added that Tom Gores has an exclusive window to buy the Pistons:
The Detroit Pistons have agreed this week to designate Tom Gores, a Michigan native and billionaire CEO of the Platinum Equity Group in Los Angeles, as the preferred bidder to buy the NBA team and an affiliate, Palace Sports & Entertainment, the Free Press has learned.
Gores has an exclusive 30-day period to finalize a purchase deal, people familiar with the matter said. It could happen as early as next week.
Barring a hiccup similar to what happened with Ilitch in November, when he had a 30-day window to buy the team, Gores will be the Pistons' new owner.