Michael (Mike) Ilitch Sr.

Michael (Mike) Ilitch, Sr

Detroit Red Wings Co-Owner (1982 – 2017)
Detroit Tigers Co-Owner (1992 – 20017)

Mike Ilitch was born in Detroit, Michigan, graduating from Cooley High School. After serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps.,  he spent four seasons in various Minor League baseball organizations. He married Marian Ilitch in 1955 and together they went on start the Little Caesars Pizza chain in 1959.  In 1982 they purchased the Detroit Red Wings and re-invigorated the once legendary franchise winning four Stanley Cup Championships during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. In 1992, Marian and Mike Ilitch purchased the Detroit Tigers and also helped revive the franchise appearing in two World Series in the 2000’s. The Ilitch family has been very active in helping revive the greater Detroit area and their philanthropic ventures have extended to many areas and people both within and beyond the sports world. Mike Ilitch was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003 as well as the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. He passed away on February 10, 2017 at 87 years of age.