The Detroit Pistons have announced that Mike Zavodsky will join the company as chief business officer of Pistons Sports and Entertainment. He will report to vice chairman Arn Tellem.
Zavodsky will oversee all sales, marketing, and creative operations for the Pistons. He spent the last year leading the commercial sales, marketing, and PR efforts for entertainment company Roc Nation in the U.S. after spending the previous 14 years with New York’s BSE Global, where he oversaw sales and marketing for the company’s teams and properties.
“We are investing in top leadership talent on both the business and basketball sides of our organization,” says Tom Gores, owner of the Pistons. “Mike is a sharp, innovative executive who will bring a fresh perspective to how we manage our operations and engage our fans. As I’ve gotten to know Mike, it’s also clear he shares our commitment to serving the community, and he will be a great asset in Detroit.”
Zavodsky, who joined BSE Global in May 2005, held numerous positions within the company before becoming chief revenue officer during his final two seasons in Brooklyn. In that role, he oversaw ticketing, suites, and sponsorships sales as well as the marketing department for all BSE venues and businesses.
“Mike shares our core values of hard work and commitment to the community,” says Tellem. “He brings great experience in all facets of ticketing, partnership, and revenue generation, and we look forward to utilizing his talents in creating unique opportunities for new engagement with business partners and ticket holders.”
While in Brooklyn, Zavodsky helped secure relationships brands such as Calvin Klein, Coca-Cola, Nike, and Anheuser-Busch, while also introducing fantasy sports into mainstream sponsorship by securing FanDuel as one of the first two major pro partnerships in that category. He is also credited with the naming rights partnerships for IZOD Center, Rutgers’ High Point Solutions Stadium, and Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to lead a talented team of professionals and build on the great tradition of an organization like the Detroit Pistons,” says Zavodsky. “Detroit is a great sports town and, while the franchise grows and evolves from an on-court basketball perspective, there is great opportunity for building momentum and amplifying that transformation on the business side. I look forward advancing the club’s success both on and off the floor.”
