Mike Martindale of the Detroit News reports:
The folks at The Palace of Auburn Hills figured a lot of business savvy blew out the door when longtime president and CEO Tom Wilson took a job with Detroit businessman Mike Ilitch in February.
But they apparently didn’t count on Wilson wooing away nine key Palace employees who, a lawsuit now alleges, stole confidential data to fill seats and suites at Joe Louis Arena and unlawfully compete for sponsors, advertisers, concessionaires and vendors.
The Oakland Circuit Court lawsuit alleges violations of Michigan’s Trade Secrets Act. It also claims breach of contract, unfair competition and conspiracy by Olympia and ex-employees of Palace Sports & Entertainment (PSE).
At stake are thousands, perhaps millions of dollars, in entertainment-industry related funds coveted by Palace Sports and also Olympia.
Palace Sports owns and operates the Detroit Pistons, The Palace, Meadow Brook Music Hall and DTE Energy Theatre.
