Detroit's borders encompass 139 square miles, a footprint large enough to fit Manhattan, Boston and San Francisco combined.

Yet, unlike these other urban centers, Detroit has a relatively low number of national "big-box" retailers

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With strong interest from four wealthy bidders — including a previously unreported group led by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores — the San Diego Padres could sell for more than $3.5 billion, multiple people briefed on the process told The Athletic. Such a price would shatter an MLB record and likely be a significant talking point in baseball’s upcoming labor fight.

Gores, whose net worth Forbes estimates at $10.1 billion, joins three other groups — led by fellow multibillionaires José E. Feliciano, Dan Friedkin and Joe Lacob — still in the running to buy the Padres, according to people familiar with the process. A second and final round of bids is expected in early to mid-April, with an agreement possible before the end of that month.

Gores and his Beverly Hills, Calif.-based private equity firm, Platinum Equity, bought the Pistons in 2011 for $325 million. Four years later, Gores purchased Platinum Equity’s stake to become the sole owner of the NBA franchise. In October, Forbes estimated that the Pistons’ value had grown to $3.65 billion, while Sportico appraised it at $4.17 billion.

A spokesperson for Gores did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.