Tom Wilson, President Emeritus of Olympia Entertainment and a trail blazer in the sports and live entertainment industry, will retire from Ilitch Companies at the end of 2020. Wilson has most recently led strategic, operational, and business development projects across 313 Presents, Olympia Entertainment, the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. Previously, for nine years, Wilson was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Olympia Entertainment.

“As a highly respected leader in the entertainment industry, Tom’s name has been, for decades, synonymous with world-class events. His expertise and vision have helped shape the way that guests from all around the world experience the exhilaration of sports, concerts, and other live events,” said Chris Granger, Group President, Sports and Entertainment, at Ilitch Holdings. “Tom has created a lasting legacy, and we are grateful for his dedication and friendship. We wish him all the best.”  

Prior to Olympia Entertainment, Wilson had a highly successful 32-year career with the Detroit Pistons, including 22 years as president and CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment, Inc. Wilson oversaw the Detroit Pistons and the organization’s three venues: The Palace, DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival. He was a leader in supporting the successful transition of major Detroit events from The Palace and Joe Louis Arena to Little Caesars Arena in The District Detroit.

“Throughout his tenure, Tom has been an incredible asset to our organization. His inspiring and collaborative leadership style played an integral role in the development and opening of the innovative Little Caesars Arena in The District Detroit,” said Chris Ilitch, President and CEO, Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “I am thankful for his invaluable contributions and partnership over the years.”

“Time has flown by and I have certainly been blessed,” said Tom Wilson.  “I am so grateful for the wonderful experiences I have been so fortunate to have had in sports, entertainment and media. From the NBA championships with the Pistons, the opening of The Palace, to the incredible opportunity to open the world class Little Caesars Arena in my hometown of Detroit – it has been a dream journey. The most rewarding part has been the relationships and friendships established. I especially want to express my gratitude and thank Mike and Marian Ilitch, and Chris Ilitch, for bringing me downtown ten years ago to transition the iconic Red Wings franchise to Little Caesars Arena, and to Bill Davidson in believing in me early on in my career to run his sports and entertainment properties. What I will miss most is the one-on-one time with our colleagues, with our guests, the passionate fans, our corporate community and so many more. I feel very fortunate and my journey has been nothing short of amazing. Now, I’m walking into a different time in my life, and I can truly say, I’m excited for what this new chapter may bring. To everyone I say, ‘thank you’.”

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The Little Caesars U.S. Development team was grateful for the opportunity to serve 300 pizzas to thousands of members of the Michigan Air National Guard’s 127th Wing and their families at Selfridge Air National Guard Base on Saturday, September 11. Little Caesars Fundraising also donated over 1,500 Pizza Kits for attendees to take home. The serving and donation were part of the 127^th Wing’s annual family event, which was especially meaningful this year as it coincided with the 20^th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

“Little Caesars is honored to give back to those who have given so much to serve our country,” said Craig Sherwood, vice president of U.S. Development at Little Caesars. “As a military veteran, I know how important it is to spend time with family, and we wanted to make this day a little extra special the best way we know how—by offering a wholesome meal that could be enjoyed together.”

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Honoring military veterans has always been important to Little Caesars. Company founder Mike Ilitch proudly served with the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. In 2006, he created the Little Caesars Veterans Program as a way to expand business opportunities for his fellow military veterans. Through the program, honorably discharged veterans and Gold Star families receive financial assistance and other incentives to open a Little Caesars franchise of their own. To learn more about the Little Caesars Veterans Program, visit https://franchise.littlecaesars.com/.

The Detroit Tigers hosted the 10^th annual “Pink Out the Park” on May 13, raising awareness for breast cancer, the most common cancer found in American women. In partnership with Detroit’s Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and McLaren Health Care, the event featured activities throughout Comerica Park including an on-field pre-game ceremony honoring nearly 400 breast cancer survivors, a ceremonial first pitch, live music, photo stations, pink decor and more.

The first 10,000 fans to enter Comerica Park received “Pink Out the Park” hoodies, and all fans had the opportunity to honor a loved-one who has faced breast cancer by personalizing “Pink Out the Park” recognition cards. Fans also had the opportunity to purchase special ticket packages featuring a game ticket, a pink Tigers baseball hat and a $5 donation to Karmanos Cancer Institute.

The downtown Detroit skyline was lit pink for the night including Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena, Fox Theatre, Little Caesars World Headquarters and MotorCity Casino Hotel.

Learn more about the special event in the video below.

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• Blueliner has recorded 311 points in 538 NHL games with Flyers, Coyotes and Hurricanes since 2014-15

The Detroit Red Wings today signed defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $4.125 million.

Gostisbehere, 30, split the 2022-23 season between the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound defenseman recorded 31 points (10-21-31) and 28 penalty minutes in 52 games with the Coyotes before adding 10 points (3-7-10) and four penalty minutes in 23 games with the Hurricanes. Gostisbehere also dished out three assists and six penalty minutes in 15 postseason contests, helping the Hurricanes reach the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in five years. He spent the entire 2021-22 season with the Coyotes, notching 51 points (14-37-51) and 26 penalty minutes in 82 games. Originally selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round (78th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Gostisbehere was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2015-16 after tallying 46 points (17-29-46), a plus-eight rating and 24 penalty minutes in 64 regular-season games with the Flyers. In total, Gostisbehere has racked up 311 points (87-224-311) and 187 penalty minutes in 538 games with the Flyers, Coyotes and Hurricanes since 2014-15. He also posted 16 points (2-14-16) and six penalty minutes in 23 American Hockey League games with the Adirondack/Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Prior to turning professional, Gostisbehere played three seasons at Union College from 2011-14, compiling 82 points (22-60-82), a plus-70 rating and 85 penalty minutes in 119 games. As a junior, Gostisbehere was named Most Outstanding Player at the 2014 Frozen Four after leading the Flying Dutchmen to their first NCAA championship in program history, logging three points (1-2-3) and a plus-seven rating in a 7-4 win over Minnesota in the title game. He also helped Union capture three-consecutive ECAC tournament championships and two regular-season titles. Gostisbehere attended South Kent (Conn.) Prep from 2009-11, scoring 69 points (13-56-69) in 57 games. A native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., Gostisbehere skated with Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, recording four assists, a plus-four rating and four penalty minutes in three games. Gostisbehere won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship, finishing with two points (1-1-2), a plus-four rating and 25 penalty minutes in six appearances.

‍Shayne Gostisbehere, Defense

‍Born Apr 20 1993 — Pembroke Pines, FL

Height 5.11 — Weight 180 — Shoots L

Selected by Philadelphia Flyers round 3 #78 overall 2012 NHL Entry Draft

This year is the Detroit Tigers’ 88th season for Spring Training at TigerTown, the longest-standing relationship between a Major League team and a current Spring Training host city. There’s nothing like Spring Training baseball at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Enjoy a 360-degree walkable concourse with sunshine, palm trees and warm seats while watching your favorite Tigers players and tomorrow’s stars.

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