The collective groan from fans could be heard worldwide when the NBA announced plans to feature small advertising patches on team jerseys from2013-14. While fans may not wish to see their teams jersey with sponsors, the initiative is likely to generate millions of dollars for franchises, something the Detroit Pistons know all to well. The franchise admitting it is already in discussions with a company to feature on the 2013-14 jersey.

From the Detroit Free-Press :

Palace Sports & Entertainment president Dennis Mannion said Detroit Pistons jerseys “most probably” will have small sponsorship patches in the future.

The NBA signaled last month that -- pending formal league approval -- it will allow small patches on the upper left part of jerseys. It’s not exactly going the NASCAR route, but it’s a significant move as the league ponders another revenue stream.

Mannion said Tuesday there have been discussions about offering the space as part of a package with a high-end sponsor.

“The ilk of sponsor that you could attract is typically very big consumer marketers, and they help you with your brand,” Mannion said. “So I think we are doing an OK job here in the Detroit metro area with the Pistons brand, (but) there are sponsors out there that can take you to a whole new level and other markets, and that’s exciting.”

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