Spirit Exec VP & CMO DePaoli Departs, No Replacement Expected

Lou DePaoli

More front office shakeup for the Atlanta Spirit as Exec VP & CMO LOU DEPAOLI Friday leaves the organization, which owns the Hawks and Thrashers. DePaoli said he is leaving to pursue other opportunities. DePaoli, who joined Atlanta Spirit in May ‘05, departs seven months after a major front office restructuring that brought the resignation of the group’s CEO BERNIE MULLIN and CFO BILL DUFFY. Team officials did not return calls for comment, but DePaoli’s departure comes as the Hawks and Thrashers look to drive business during their offseason sales efforts. Last season, average attendance for the Hawks increased 4.4% to 16,281 fans per game. The Thrashers averaged 16,230 fans per game, also up 4.4%. No replacement has been named (John Lombardo, SportsBusiness Journal). The ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE's John Manasso noted, “At this point, it appears that DePaoli will not be replaced.” DaPaoli, whose contract ended June 30, said, “My contract ended. I decided [it was] time to move on to a new challenge.” DaPaoli said that he “has been in correspondence with a number of people about future employment, including NBA commissioner DAVID STERN via e-mail” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/10).