Longtime Indiana Pacers executive Donnie Walsh, the architect of the franchise’s turnaround, announced his retirement Wednesday.
79-year-old Walsh first told The Indianapolis Star of his intention to retire.
“Over the course of my 30-year relationship with Donnie, I was surprised to see him help lead this organization into what it has become,” team owner Herb Simon said in a statement. “He was certainly the right leader at the right time, and the invaluable wisdom and advice he has provided over the decades extends far beyond the lines of the basketball court.”
Walsh received the titles of CEO and president of the team, which he held until his departure to return to his hometown of New York as president of the Knicks basketball operations.
Walsh stepped down as New York decision maker in June 2011 but continued to serve as a consultant with the Knicks for another year. In June 2012, the Pacers brought back Walsh as president of basketball operations, succeeding Larry Bird.