The business operations of Detroit-based Olympia Entertainment Inc. and the Red Wings, both owned by the Ilitch family, "have been rolled into a single entity," according to Bill Shea of CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS. Olympia President & CEO TOM WILSON noted that there also was a "management shakeup that included the departure this week" of Red Wings Senior VP/Business Affairs STEVE VIOLETTA, who was the "most senior staffer to go." Violetta was "hired away" from the Predators in December '07. Wilson added that former Olympia President DANA WARG, who was hired to the position in '07, is "now concentrating solely on booking for the venues." Wang is "no longer president but does not yet have a new title." The "unified business staff will provide tickets sales, promotion and marketing for the Red Wings and Olympia, which is the venue management arm of Ilitch Holdings Inc." Wilson said that the Ilitch-owned Tigers "will maintain their own business functions ... but the team and Olympia will collaborate on events and services for each other via packages and events." He "didn't rule out the Tigers one day being rolled into a single Olympia business unit, but said it's not under discussion now." Wilson added that Olympia also is "setting up a customer relationship management system across the venues and teams." Shea noted the "senior management lines of command haven't changed." Wilson reports to Ilitch Holdings Inc. President & CEO CHRIS ILITCH, KEN HOLLAND remains Exec VP & GM of the Red Wings and reports to MIKE ILITCH, and DAVE DOMBROWSKI remains President, CEO & GM of the Tigers and reports to Mike Ilitch (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 1/27).
