OT: Goodbye: Tom Wilson

Submitted by maizenbluedevil on

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?

readyourguard

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?

Robbie Moore

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.

Wolverine96

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".

maizenbluedevil

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.

jmblue

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.

Sonofdetroit

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.

umhero

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.

wolverinebandit

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.

Wolverine96

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.

A_Maize_Zing

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.

aenima0311

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.