Jim Lites Departs Stars After Hicks Fires GM Armstrong

Jeff Cogen has been named the new President of the Stars, "with Jim Lites stepping down to take a larger role in the Hicks Sports Marketing Group," according to Mike Heika of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS.  Lites "said the decision was mutual, and that he is looking forward to expanding his work with [Tom] Hicks' other investments," including the Liverpool soccer club and business development around Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Lites indicated that Hicks' decision to fire GM Doug Armstrong "without consulting him was part of the decision process, but added that he and Hicks have an excellent relationship and talked through issues on Tuesday" (DALLASNEWS.com, 11/14). Heika reported in this morning's paper that Hicks “shocked the organization” yesterday by firing Armstrong and naming Assistant GM Les Jackson and Special Advisor Brett Hull as co-GMs for the remainder of the season. Hicks indicated that he “didn’t include Lites in the decision because Lites and Armstrong are very close.” Hicks added that Jackson and Hull will “communicate on decisions and come up with a consensus.” Hicks: “If they don’t agree, then I’m the tiebreaker” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/14).