A Return of Donnie Walsh? Mike Wells - Indystar

Post #1 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 4:46 am

There’s a possibility that former CEO Donnie Walsh will return to the franchise in some capacity, multiple sources told The Star.

It’s uncertain what role Walsh will play with the franchise.

Link

Post #2 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 4:48 am

Well, talk about a way to muddle the front office situation. Morway out. Pritchard in? Bird in.....Walsh in? How many cooks can you have in the kitchen?

Unless Walsh manages the non-player personnel side and more of the simple business side of Bankers Life Fieldhouse operations and other Pacers operations (ticketing, marketing, etc), I don't see how this could end up well.

SmashMouthRod · Post #3 » by **SmashMouthRod** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 5:52 am

It makes sense because Simon has always loved Walsh. But I agree that he shouldnt be there for the reasons u stated. There were times when he and Bird disagreed on personnel decisions previously; Now that Bird has the team on the rise with a good cap standing (cleaned up Walsh's mess) and Bird has the personnel he likes with Pritchard and Vogel; U want to bring back Walsh. I must say I dont like this idea. However It would be great if Bird were leaving.

Wizop · Post #4 » by **Wizop** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 12:34 pm

Scoot McGroot wrote:Unless Walsh manages the non-player personnel side and more of the simple business side of Bankers Life Fieldhouse operations and other Pacers operations (ticketing, marketing, etc), I don't see how this could end up well.

Jim Morris has had major heart issues so there might be an opening even higher than the one you describe. there is the whole Entertainment side of Pacer Sports and Entertainment and the community stuff, charter school, charities, etc. that are under Morris, as well as the stuff you mention.

Post #5 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 6:22 pm

Yeah, I was kind of envisioning him taking over for Jim Morris, or possibly being more of a liaison between Morris and Simon. I just don't want another period of confusion between Bird and Walsh. If Walsh comes back in the basketball side, he needs to be firmly entrenched below Bird, or simply not at all.

8305 · Post #6 » by **8305** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:00 am

Donnie Walsh has to be close to 80 years old and the before he left in 07 we were a mess. If he wants to hang around and offer an opinion from time to time ok. But giving him any responsibility or authority would be a mistake.

Wizop · Post #7 » by **Wizop** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:25 am

he's 71 which makes him 6 years younger than Herb. that surprises me as I thought Herb was my age but he's 8 years older than I am. the only problem in all Donnie's years here came at the end when he and Bird each deferred to the other and fly balls fell between them. Donnie's smart enough to know that and not to let it happen again.

Post #8 » by **PR07** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:46 pm

If it's anymore than a team consultant, I'd be surprised.

Indy2thaWindy · Post #9 » by **Indy2thaWindy** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:48 pm

Indy2thaWindy · Post #10 » by **Indy2thaWindy** » Mon Jun 25, 2012 10:54 pm

The front office is crowded enough with people who decide the player personnel.

Hopefully it's like someone else said and has to do with marketing or something else.

Boneman2 · Post #11 » by **Boneman2** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 5:13 am

Ex-Knicks president Donnie Walsh, ousted by Garden chairman Jim Dolan last June after he was offered a 40% pay cut, is returning to the Indiana Pacers. Walsh, the long-time Indiana CEO before he came to New York to rebuild the Knicks, will be leading the Pacers in their efforts to land free agents starting when the period opens Sunday, league sources said Monday. The team's No. 1 priority is to re-sign point guard George Hill, a restricted free agent, and sources said Walsh will be spearheading the team's efforts to keep Hill. New York Daily News

Pritchard ???

Edit: NY Daily News doesn't even know who our #1 priority is, so take it with a grain of salt. At the same time it's certainly feasible, Walsh having such a prominent role that is.

Post #12 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:09 pm

Looks like it's true with new reports out only today that Larry Bird is retiring.

I knew something was up when his meeting with Herb kept getting postponed week by week. Looks like Larry got pushed out and Donnie was brought back in. I doubt Pritchard will remain in the front office now, as well.

Wizop · Post #13 » by **Wizop** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:35 pm

NY Post has the story too and Vescey names names more than Wells did. both stories have Morway out and Pritchard making trade calls. I think I'll turn on 1070thefan and see if they have anything more than rumors.

Dan Dakich is saying he had this story two weeks ago and that a key motivator is Bird's back pain.

Post #14 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:02 pm

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_spo ... xZL2v9kdjO