Pistons CEO out as part of business-side shake-up

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Detroit Pistons CEO Alan Ostfield has been fired by the team's new ownership.

Ostfield became president and CEO of both the Pistons and Palace Sports & Entertainment last year. The team was purchased about a month ago by Platinum Equity chairman Tom Gores in a deal that included Palace Sports.

Ostfield remained upbeat Thursday, saying the move wasn't a huge surprise.

"I knew a year and a half ago when I agreed to step into the position, I knew what we were going through as an organization was going to be tough," he said. "I had some amazing experiences. ... I'm just happy to take those experiences on to the next phase of my career."

Platinum Equity partners Phil Norment and Bob Wentworth will share PS&E leadership responsibilities on an interim basis.

"We have made some changes as part of an overall realignment of the business side of the organization," Norment said in a statement. "We appreciate Alan's contributions, but have decided to move in another direction. The search for a President of Business Operations will be completed as quickly as possible. PS&E is also looking to expand its sales force and is in the process of hiring additional sales representatives."

Joe Dumars remains in place as team president and is responsible for basketball operations.

Gores bought the team from Karen Davidson after a lengthy process that lasted through all of last season. Ostfield helped oversee the transition.

"We're all proud of what we did," Ostfield said.