Wings hire Steve Violetta

The Detroit Red Wings announced yesterday the hiring of Steve Violetta as senior vice president of business affairs. Violetta had been working since July of 2005 with the Nashville Predators in the same position. He is from Detroit and actually got his degree from Central Michigan so I’m sure he’s pleased to be back in his hometown area.

“We’re excited to have Steve and his vast experience as part of the team,” Ilitch said. “This new organizational structure is similar to what we’ve done with the Detroit Tigers and we certainly expect to see similar, successful results as Violetta focuses on making the fans’ hockey experience all it can be.”

In addition to this hiring, Mike Ilitch also promoted GM Ken Holland to executive vice president and Assistant GM Jim Nill to vice president. The two will still maintain their respective management positions.

“I believe these personnel moves will greatly enhance our ability to meet the ever-growing needs and challenges of operating a professional sports team in a highly competitive market,” team owner Mike Ilitch said. “Ken and Jim have been instrumental in our success over the years. The promotions are well-deserved and, combined with the addition of Steve’s position, will enable us to put the best product forward both on and off the ice and will lead to an even more successful franchise.”

I don’t really have any opinion about the hiring of Violetta because I don’t know him or really know what he’s down while in Nashville. However, I think Holland and Nill’s promotions are certainly worthy, but I don’t think it will really give them added responsibility (but then what do I know).

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Posted in: Wings Business | | December 2007

4 Responses to “Wings hire Steve Violetta”

  1. roger Says:
    May 12th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

    maybe you’re are unaware or don’t care . but alot of us can’t watch the wings during the playoffs,because we can’t get vrs t.v. not for any price….please re think broadcast networks.

  2. Christy Hammond Says:
    May 12th, 2008 at 6:29 pm

    The NHL is the one who makes the contracts with TV networks and the Wings don’t really have a say in that whatsoever (to my knowledge at least).

  3. roger Says:
    May 16th, 2008 at 9:40 am

    do you really think the wings have no say in this ? if you really believe that , the wings are wasting their on you too…………..

  4. Christy Hammond Says:
    May 16th, 2008 at 11:38 am

    I’m guessing that this is a matter decided on by the Board of Governors so while the Wings have a vote and may hold some sway in things, they don’t make the national contracts or ultimately the final decision (of course they do with the local FSN).

    I think most people would love to see the NHL back on ESPN when we got the desired coverage and better ratings, unfortunately the ratings have slipped and ESPN wasn’t willing to offer much more than ad revenue sharing deal and the owners wanted the guaranteed money from a Versus contract…

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