Former Pistons PR director Matt Dobek dies

by Matt Watson on Aug 21, 2010 7:08 PM EDT in Detroit Pistons News

Tragic news about a long-time Detroit Bad Boy: Matt Dobek, the Pistons' longtime PR director, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday. He was only 51 years old. Working behind the scenes in the Pistons' organization for 29 years until being let go in May, Dobek will be missed by many. From Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:

Hired by former Pistons executive Tom Wilson, Dobek was a confidant to many of the players during the Bad Boys era of Pistons basketball, including Isiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn and Joe Dumars.

He remained close through the years with former Pistons coach Chuck Daly and when Daly died in May 2009, Dobek served as the family spokesman.

Dobek was part of three championship teams with the Pistons (1989, 1990 and 2004) and also served as the communications director for the original Dream Team during the 1992 Olympics.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family.

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RIP.

by Dirtgrain on Aug 22, 2010 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

I didn’t know anything about him, but 51 is way too young to go. It sounds like he had a good career and was doing what he loved with people he enjoyed, though. RIP.

by garrettelliott on Aug 22, 2010 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

sad news. RIP.

my dad owns his book he helped write but I’ve never read it. Anybody read it?

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by Packey on Aug 22, 2010 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

Matt Dobek

Terrible news. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

by Detroitsportsfan3 on Aug 23, 2010 5:41 PM EDT reply actions

SI article

Sports world loses gem in former Pistons p.r. director Matt Dobek

by tads on Aug 23, 2010 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

McCallum

I don’t want to comment on the major revelation, which we all knew but I won’t say out of respect for the family. I would like to say that Matt Dobek was the same age as me which I find scary. And to say that I agree with McCallum that the sooner the team is sold the better it will be.

by gordbrown on Aug 24, 2010 9:59 PM EDT reply actions