Detroit Sports Commission Promotes Marty Dobek to Executive Director

The Detroit Sports Commission has promoted Marty Dobek, previously DSC’s deputy director, to executive director while Dave Beachnau will take on the role of CEO for the Detroit Local Organizing Committee for the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

In his new role, Dobek will oversee all facets of the Detroit Sports Commission‘s operations including national sales efforts, event bidding and hosting, management of the Detroit Sports Organizing Corp advisory committee and staff leadership. Dobek has been with the organization for 13 years and recently served as the primary liaison to the NFL for the 2024 NFL Draft, which drew over 775,000 attendees to downtown Detroit and generated an estimated $213.6 million in economic impact.

“Marty’s promotion to executive director is a natural and well-earned progression,” said Beachnau, who will continue as executive vice president of Visit Detroit. “His ability to cultivate partnerships, execute large-scale events, and maintain a strategic vision makes him the ideal leader to take DSC into its next phase. His leadership will ensure we continue to attract world-class events while delivering meaningful benefits to the community.”

Dobek assumes the role of executive director ahead of a lineup of sporting events coming to Detroit including the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four at Ford Field, the 2028 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional at Little Caesars Arena and the 2028 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament in Detroit for the first time.

Beachnau, who has led DSC since its founding in 2001, will focus on guiding Detroit’s preparations for the 2027 Men’s Final Four. As CEO of the DLOC, he will be responsible for oversight in the coordination of various local aspects of planning and execution, working closely with NCAA men’s basketball leadership. Under Beachnau’s leadership, the DSC hosted the 2004 Ryder Cup, 2005 MLB All-Star Game, Super Bowl XL, 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four,  2010 NCAA Frozen Four and  NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in 2007 and 2022. His efforts also brought the AAU Junior Olympic Games to Detroit in three times in a 10-year span in addition to the NCAA Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds in 2018 and the 2024 NCAA Men’s Midwest Basketball Regional.

“Promoting Marty Dobek to executive director and transitioning Dave Beachnau to lead the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four Local Organizing Committee demonstrates the depth of talent, collaboration and passionate commitment among the Detroit Sports Commission team,” said Claude Molinari, president and chief executive officer of Visit Detroit. “Their longtime leadership underscores the Sports Commission’s organizational cohesiveness and sets us apart as a trusted partner for governing bodies and event owners.”