There have been countless pro sports teams named for race cars and race car drivers over the years. But the short-lived Detroit Safari, who played indoor soccer at the Palace of Auburn Hills during the summer of 1997, stand alone as the only team named for a minivan…
The Detroit Fury of the Arena Football League were a short-lived joint venture between Bill Davidson’s Palace Sports & Entertainment (owners of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons) and Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford, Jr. An earlier Motor City entry in the league, the Detroit Drive (1988-1993), won four Arena Bowl championships and drew large crowds to the Joe Louis Arena downtown. But the Fury were unable to replicate that success at the suburban Palace of Auburn Hills during four seasons from 2001 to 2004.
Women’s National Basketball Association (1998-2009) Born: 1998 – WNBA expansion franchise Moved: October 20, 2009 (Tulsa Shock) First Game: June 13, 1998 (L 78-69 vs.
The Detroit Neon indoor soccer team drew their name from a title sponsorship with the Chrysler Corporation, who introduced their Neon sub-compact car in 1994, the same year the soccer club debuted at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Neon remained one of the better draws in the Continental Indoor Soccer Leage during its existence, despite being absolutely dreadful. The Neon twice had the worst record in the CISL and posted a 32-80 record over four seasons of play.
The Vipers were owned by Palace Sports & Entertainment, owners of the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. For a time in the mid-to-late 1990’s, Vipers games at the suburban Palace at Auburn Hills were a popular take in hockey-crazed Detroit. By 1999 the Vipers claimed 24 of the top 25 single-game crowds in the 50+ year history of the IHL.
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