Herb Simon Taking More Hands-On Approach With Pacers
 |
Simon (c) Taking More Hands-On
Approach With Departure Of Walsh |
Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PSE) yesterday announced that Pacers co-Owner Herb Simon will serve as PSE Chair & CEO, effective immediately. The company also announced Jim Morris, who had been serving as a special adviser to the team, has been named President. Morris will oversee business operations of the Pacers, WNBA Fever and Conseco Fieldhouse. In addition, PSE Exec VP Rick Fuson has been promoted to COO (PSE). Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird will retain his position, but Simon said both he and Bird will be involved in "major basketball decisions." The Pacers this season missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, and the team also finished the regular season last in the NBA in attendance. Simon: "The franchise has gone through many good years, but the last few years we've been at a crossing point and it's important for me to have a viable franchise in this city." Simon added, "Before, I was a 'hands-on, hands-off' owner. And now I'm going to be a 'hands-on, hands-on' owner." Simon added he will consult with Bird and Morris to "re-look at the franchise from top to bottom. To make us more responsive basketball-wise. More responsive to our fans and our sponsors." In Indianapolis, Mike Wells writes Simon's increased role is "surprising considering he preferred to stay behind the scenes and leave [Knicks President of Basketball Operations Donnie] Walsh in charge of the day-to-day operations" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/17). Simon before last night's Knicks-Pacers game told fans, "We're going to stay here and make things work" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/17).
WORK TO DO: In Indianapolis, Bob Kravitz writes it is "great that Herb Simon has chosen to transform himself from a hands-off owner to a hands-on kind of guy. And it's great that Simon hired" Morris. But "all of the front-office shuffling will be rendered meaningless if [Bird] doesn't accomplish two things" in the offseason. Bird "must get rid of" G Jamaal Tinsley and trade F Jermaine O'Neal (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/17).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Indy May Hire Firm To Operate Stadium, Arena
October 22, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Mel Simon Saved NBA Hoops In Indianapolis
September 17, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Pacers Co-Owner Mel Simon Passes Away
September 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
This Season Could Be WNBA Fever's Last
September 15, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Pacers' Financial Losses Trouble For CIB
August 13, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
UCF-Adidas Spat May Head To Court
November 6, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Teams H1N1 Vaccinations Examined
November 6, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
ESPN Interested In March Madness Rights
November 5, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Jordan Wears Nike; adidas Ending UCF Deal
November 5, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Maple Leafs, Raptors Receive H1N1 Vaccine
November 5, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
