Red Wings Staying Put

[Allan]

Red Wings Staying Put, Olympia Boss Says

By Dan Heaton

Last updated: May 12, 2004 05:39pm

DETROIT-The new president of Olympia Entertainment says he's looking forward to many more seasons of Red Wings hockey at Joe Louis Arena. Randy Lippe, named last week as president of OE, says the organization is focused on hockey at the Joe.

Last year, rumors were floating that the Ilitch family, which owns Olympia, the Red Wings and several Downtown venues through its Ilitch Holdings, were interested in a new hockey arena for the NHL team.

"The Red Wings have played hockey at the Joe Louis Arena since December of 1979, and we look forward to many more successful seasons at the Joe," Lippe tells GlobeSt.com. "Joe Louis Arena is a great place to watch hockey and see concerts."

Lippe will oversee all operations for Olympia Entertainment events and venues, including the Fox Theatre, Joe Louis and Cobo arenas, Hockeytown Cafe, Johnny Rockets as well as non-baseball events at Comerica Park, all of which are located Downtown. Lippe first started with Ilitch Holdings some 30 years ago, working in one of the Ilitch family's Little Caesar's pizza chain. In 1982, after Ilitch purchased the Detroit Red Wings franchise, Lippe transferred to what was then known as Olympia Arenas and operated the first Little Caesar