OT: Goodbye: Tom Wilson
Per Detroit news and Channel 4, Pistons and Palace Entertainment President Tom Wilson is "out", making it unclear if he resigned or was let go.
Kinda sad. He's one of those people that has been a constant in Detroit sports and business for a long time and represented a time of real prosperity and flourishing.
Feel free to discuss... Where do you think he's headed next? What does this mean for the future of the Pistons and the Palace?
February 17th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^
Hope he left on his own...the guy was instrumental in buidling the franchise. And I don't think he is really responsible for the mess they are in now.
February 17th, 2010 at 12:10 PM ^
that place is reserved for Dumars. The Pistons are a mess.
February 17th, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
he has been with the stones. Kinda makes ya wonder what the hell is going on over there
February 17th, 2010 at 12:57 PM ^
The DetNews says he "joined the organization in 1977." Seems like a long time for a guy not-so-old. Maybe they got it wrong.
At any rate, is it possible Tom Wilson joins Andy Appleby (another former Palace executive, current CEO of General Sports & Entertainment) in a bid to BUY the team?
February 17th, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
33 years is even more impressive. I agree, I hope he is going out on his own terms. I'm not sure that kind of longevity (the good kind, not the Matt Millen kind) by an executive can be rivaled in Detroit sports. Jimmy Devellano maybe?
February 17th, 2010 at 3:48 PM ^
Was hired in 1982. That makes 28 years now. But Jimmy D gave up the GM job in 1992 to Brian Murray. He's been a behind the scenes eminence ever since.
Jim Campbell with the Tigers had a really long run. From the mid 50's until Tom Monaghan brought in Bo as team president. Campbell served 27 years as either GM or President.
February 17th, 2010 at 12:12 PM ^
It probably has a lot if not all to do with the looming sale of the Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment. He most likely did not see eye-to-eye with Davidson's widow on the direction of the sale of the businesses. This is not a good sign as Wilson was the driving force on the business side of both entities. The Pistons leaving Detroit is a much larger possibility now that he no longer is a part of the organization.
As an aside, this is taking on a certain resembelance to the situation presented in the classic film "Major League".
February 17th, 2010 at 12:26 PM ^
Reading between the lines a bit, I kinda thought the same thing... that it's quite possible this doesn't bode well for the Pistons remaining in Detroit.
I no longer live in the SE Michigan area so I'm not real plugged into the buzz in Detroit and kinda follow these things long distance. I'm curious what others who follow this stuff more closely think the implications of this are.
February 17th, 2010 at 12:38 PM ^
Please show me a market that would support an NBA franchise that doesn't already have one.
Show me a market that can afford to lure an NBA franchise right now in this type of economical environment.
Tom Wilson will land on his feet. My guess is that his phone hasn't stopped ringing.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:32 PM ^
Pittsburgh has been much of the talk of late. I have a strong feeling we might hear more about that after the season. Wilson leaving substantiates this claim even more for me personally.
February 17th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
Or maybe, after 33 years, he just wanted to do something else. The man's not as young as he looks. He actually was in Hollywood before he went into sports management.
The notion that the Pistons will leave a fairly large market and cash cow of an arena for a small market with a crappy, shared arena is nonsensical on its face.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^
It's losing money. But the NHL won't let anybody put one in Hamilton, Ontario, which probably could support a team.
Not to say you're not right, but that doesn't mean somebody isn't going to do it anyway.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:09 PM ^
I wish him well. He's been there for such a long time.
Here's the announcement from the Pistons' website:
http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/leadership_transition_100217.html
February 17th, 2010 at 1:12 PM ^
The Pistons won't be leaving the state. The only positive i see out of all of this is the fact that they will probably have the opportunity to move downtown under new ownership and share a place with the Red Wings.
My guess is Tom Wilson stays in Detroit. I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. I got him on the phone already.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^
My brother is an executive over there and he was surprised when it happened today, so he is convinced he was let go. He said Mrs. Davidson has been very focused on the bottom line.
He is being replaced by Allen Astfeld, who is a former money man with the Pistons. He is not a Tom Wilson disciple. The expected people in line to replace Tom were all passed over, so it looks like Mrs. Davidson doesn't like any of Tom Wilson's folks.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^
That is when the Red Wings build a new place....
February 17th, 2010 at 1:52 PM ^
With Davidson widow and kids running things and arguing and bickering, the Pistons will quickly become the Clippers East.
Wilson worked for the Lakers before the Pistons. He has to be about 60. He could easily retire, and if he doesn't want to someone else will snap him up in an instance. He is very good at the business side of the sports world.
I'm sure he will look back at being fired in a few years and be thankful.
February 17th, 2010 at 1:59 PM ^
Not fired, according to Wojo:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100217/OPINION03/2170394/1127/sports01…
February 17th, 2010 at 2:22 PM ^
but when the President and owner no longer share the philosophy of how to run the business or the President's opinion is no longer valued it is time to get out. I have a feeling that Wilson and Karen Davidson do not share the same viewpoints as to where the business should go. The time to get out is now before the team and business is sold and before any disagreements with Davidson became public.
I would not be surprised to see him land with Olympia Entertainment. That would be a great fit and may enhance the possibility the Olympia looks to buy Palace Sports and Entertainment.
February 17th, 2010 at 6:12 PM ^
I was never a fan of Tom Wilson, however, I think Mrs Davidson is the worst thing to happen to Detroit sports since Matt Millen.
February 17th, 2010 at 8:50 PM ^
She's looking more and more like the owner in Major League, no?
Bill should have left it to his kids so she couldn't sell everything he made off for a buck.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:02 PM ^
I'm afraid she is going to end up looking like Marge Schott. "what do we need scouts for? all they do is sit around!"
February 17th, 2010 at 6:18 PM ^
Dont kill me but last night with a healthy team the Pistons looked like a 6-8 seed. I think they may make a run at the end of the season...they won't make the playoffs but they will kill all hope of getting John Wall.
February 17th, 2010 at 6:42 PM ^
The NBA won't leave a prominant basketball market like Detroit.
If anything, they'll be sold and move back to downtown Detroit where they belong. Even though Mr. I hates basketball, it'd be a shrewd move for him to buy the Pistons and build a new multipurpose facility for the Pistons and Redwings in Foxtown.