By AJ Petronzi
In Play Magazine
After refusing to talk about his opportunities that caused him to resign from the Detroit Pistons, Tom Wilson was announced today as the CEO of the Ilitches’ sports networks, mainly taking a role with the Detroit Red Wings.
Wilson should be familiar to Detroit sports fans; he resigned only five days ago from the Pistons, who he’d worked with for 32 years. Wilson jokingly told the 1000 some odd people at hand, “You’ll be so disappointed.” There was disappointment in the Detroit sports world when Wilson resigned, but now that disappointment should be gone since he didn’t actually leave Detroit.
Offical Release from Ilitch Sports and Entertainment
WILSON JOINS ILITCH ORGANIZATION
Accomplished sports and entertainment industry leader to head new enterprise
Initial focus to include collaboration with Red Wings, Tigers and entertainment venues.
DETROIT – The hiring of Thomas S. Wilson as President and Chief Executive Officer of a newly
created enterprise working across the Ilitch sports and entertainment businesses was announced today
by Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. The hiring is effective immediately.
Wilson is joining the Ilitch organization after an illustrious 32‐year career with the Detroit
Pistons, including the last 22 years as president and CEO of Palace Sports and Entertainment. In his new
capacity, Wilson will report directly to Christopher Ilitch.
“Today is a landmark day for our entire organization,” Ilitch said. “Tom Wilson is a visionary in
the industry who will make an immediate impact on our continued growth. He has revolutionized the
business in many ways during his career and will continue to do so. His genuine passion and
enthusiasm, coupled with his outstanding leadership abilities, promise to take our successful businesses
to an even higher level.
“We have an amazing organization today, with tremendous employees and excellent leaders.
And like any successful team, we’re always looking for ways to grow, to improve, to become even better
– and to take on new challenges,” Ilitch stated. “We have reached a point where it makes perfect sense
to leverage the resources of all of our companies, and capitalize on synergies that can spur additional
growth and innovation. Tom will play a vital role in helping us achieve these business goals and
identifying synergies across our companies. He will have autonomy and support from me, and I know
our other business leaders look forward to working side‐by‐side with Tom to enhance the collaboration
among our companies.”
As president and CEO of the soon‐to‐be‐named new enterprise, Wilson will provide input into
every aspect of the Ilitch companies. One of his initial strategic priorities will be to leverage the natural
business opportunities among Olympia Entertainment, the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers –
while also aggressively looking for new areas of collaboration to grow these businesses as well as other
companies within the Ilitch enterprise.
Wilson will also look for innovative ways to package and promote the substantial assets of
Olympia Entertainment, one of the most diverse and leading sports and entertainment organizations in
the country. Olympia’s vast portfolio of venues includes Detroit’s legendary Fox Theatre, Joe Louis
Arena, Comerica Park, Cobo Arena, Masonic Temple and City Theatre. Wilson will be responsible for
guiding and growing these venues as well as looking for opportunities to expand the portfolio.
“I feel very fortunate to have worked with a great organization and family in the Pistons and the
Davidsons, and to now have a similar opportunity with an equally iconic sports, entertainment and
civic-minded family like the Ilitches,” Wilson said. “We were competitors in the marketplace, but I have
always admired the accomplishments of the entire Ilitch organization, on the field and in the
community.“
There are wonderful assets here with the Wings, Tigers, the entertainment venues, and all of
the other highly respected businesses,” he noted. “I’m excited to get started with my new colleagues.
And knowing Chris’ vision for the organization in total, along with the experience and ideas I’d like to
contribute, I can tell you that all of us have a unique opportunity to accomplish great things together –
to do things we’ve never done before, and to go places we’ve never been.”
Reporting to Wilson in his new position will be Dana Warg, president of Olympia Entertainment,
and Steve Violetta, senior vice president of Business Affairs for the Detroit Red Wings. Duane McLean,
senior vice president of Business Operations for the Detroit Tigers, will continue to report directly to
Tigers President, CEO and General Manager Dave Dombrowski, while also adding a strong dotted line
reporting relationship to Wilson.
“Ken (Holland) and Dave will continue to report directly to me in running the sports operations
of the Wings and Tigers, respectively. Nothing changes in that regard,” Team Owner Mike Ilitch stated.
“However, given Tom’s sales and marketing expertise, his connections in the industry and community,
and his proven ability to get things done, I believe that Ken, Dave and Tom will find natural opportunities
to partner together on the promotional and customer service sides of hockey and baseball. Once Chris
and the guys put their heads together, the possibilities could be endless.”
Holland, executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings noted that he
got to know Tom when Palace Sports & Entertainment owned the Tampa Bay Lightning, “I know that
Tom is very well‐respected in the sports and entertainment industry. All of us at the Red Wings look
forward to working closely with him,” Holland said.
Dombrowski echoed Holland’s welcoming comments regarding Wilson.
“I’ve known Tom personally over the years and have been genuinely impressed with his work
and that of his staff at the Palace,” Dombrowski said. “I look forward to working with Tom. It is great to
have him as part of the overall Ilitch organization.”
During Wilson’s tenure with the Pistons, the team was widely recognized as one of the best
marketed entities in the NBA. Wilson was also instrumental in the design, staffing and operating
philosophy of the state‐of‐the‐art Palace of Auburn Hills, which has captured nine “Arena of the Year”
awards over the years. Wilson and his PS&E team were also responsible for the complete makeover of
the DTE Energy Music Theatre, which was voted the number one amphitheater in the country the past
19 years and the Best Outdoor Concert Venue in 2000.
“We are thrilled to be adding a person of Tom’s caliber to our organization,” Ilitch said. “He has
a tremendous track record of leadership, success and innovation in the world of sports and
entertainment. One of his hallmarks has been the ability to leverage and market resources across an
organization, while also identifying new and exciting business opportunities along the way. And he has
an extraordinary gift to resonate his vision with sponsors, season ticket and suite holders, advertisers,
sports fans and concert goers. We’re looking for those same high impact contributions.
“Our collective vision is one of continued growth and opportunity for the entire Ilitch
organization,” he added. “It’s going to be an exciting journey for all of us. This is a harbinger of bigger
and better things for sports and entertainment fans in Detroit, southeast Michigan and beyond.”
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