Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment President Dennis Mannion is “seeking league approval for what he called ‘aggressive changes’ for player areas such as locker room and training areas” at the Palace of Auburn Hills, according to Bill Shea of CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS. Other changes “in the works include improvements to the lighting and to the flashy start of each Pistons game.” Construction of a “temporary production studio and the purchase of new equipment is planned as part of a plan to improve the team’s ability to create content such as Pistons shows for telecasts and online.” Mannion: “We’re making some pretty sweeping changes to the game operations front.” He also wants to “expedite parking and improve fan experience on game day with improved concessions and customer service through new training that’s being implemented.” Forbes estimated that PS&E last year had revenue of about $70M and the Pistons had “operating income of $32 million on revenue of $147 million for the 2009-2010 season.” Part of Mannion’s job “is to boost those numbers further.” Mannion: “I’ve got a particular strategy I want to follow on pursuing marketing share and revenue.” Although he did not reveal particulars, he said that “there has been a minor restructuring and shuffling of PS&E departments, such as a single communications group for both the Pistons and Palace” (CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS, 9/25 issue).
