The Detroit Tigers have partnered with The District Detroit-based restaurant, Union Assembly, to bring two items to their menu from August 21 through late September.

Eric Haase, who is a Detroit native and Tigers catcher, was tasked with creating two menu items with proceeds going to a charity of his choosing. “I was so excited when the Tigers invited me to partner with Union Assembly on this,” said Haase. “I met with the chef and bartender who came up with three different sandwich and drink ideas. The best part of this whole thing has been going over and trying all of them, and I couldn’t be happier where we landed.”

The burger – the Baseline Brisket Burger – has a 4 oz beef patty, featuring Smoked Woodshop brisket, touched with wild mushroom gravy, Grana Padano, with a Garlic Herb Ricotta served on a pretzel bun. Mr. Gatorade, the cocktail, is in reference to the Detroit native’s accomplishment winning the Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year during his senior year at Dearborn’s Divine Child High School. The drink includes the six-month aged spirit, Espolon Reposado Tequila, St. Germaine, Freshly, daily squeezed lime juice, Demerara syrup, Angostura Bitters, and soda.

“Everyone loves good food, so I’m really excited for fans to try them out and help benefit a great cause at the same time,” said Haase.

Located on Columbia St., directly across from Comerica Park, is Union Assembly – a new addition to the Michigan-based restaurant chain, Union Joints. The restaurant features a second-floor lounge, indoor and outdoor bar, and a terrace directly above Woodward Ave.

The proceeds for both menu items will be donated to Detroit Tigers Foundation and CATCH. CATCH is a nonprofit dedicated to raising money for pediatric patients and their families at both the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Henry Ford Hospital here in Detroit.

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In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the Detroit Tigers announced the club’s Grapefruit League game schedule for 2023 Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida. Spring of 2023 will mark Detroit’s 87^th season at TigerTown in Lakeland, extending the longest-standing relationship between a Major League team and a current Spring Training host city. The 2023 spring season will be the club’s 58^th consecutive season of playing at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Detroit begins its Grapefruit League schedule with a pair of home games, hosting the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, February 25 and the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, February 26.

The home schedule features visits from the New York Yankees (March 10 and March 17), Boston Red Sox (March 14), Toronto Blue Jays (March 4 and March 20) and St. Louis Cardinals (March 7). In addition to the Yankees and Blue Jays, the Philadelphia Phillies (February 25 and March 16), Baltimore Orioles (February 26 and March 2) and Pittsburgh Pirates (March 1 and March 24) will all make two visits to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The Tigers are now accepting deposits towards the purchase of new season tickets for the upcoming 2023 Spring Training season in sunny Lakeland, FL. Secure your spot with a $100 per seat deposit by calling (863) 686-8075.

Fans interested in securing their seat at Comerica Park for the 2023 season can do so by placing their season membership deposit today. Season Ticket Members receive guaranteed access to Detroit’s Opening Day presented by Rocket Mortgage on Thursday, April 6 vs. Boston, discounts on concessions and merchandise, and exclusive member events with alumni and current players. Place your season membership deposit for the 2023 season today at tigers.com/membership or call 313-471-2255.

Game times for 2023 Spring Training are subject to change. The Bally Sports Detroit and 97.1 The Ticket/Audacy broadcast schedules will be announced at a later date.

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Chris McGowan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (IS+E), announced today that Ron Colangelo has been named Senior Vice President of Communications and Broadcasting. Colangelo will lead all business and team communications functions across Ilitch Sports + Entertainment companies and properties, in addition to managing all local, national and league rightsholder relationships.

Colangelo, who previously held the title of Vice President of Communications with the Detroit Tigers, begins his new post immediately and reports directly to McGowan.

“Ron is one of the most respected communication executives in not just Detroit, but across all of professional sports, and we’re fortunate to have him taking on this expanded role,” said McGowan. “Connecting with our fans is at the center of everything we do, and Ron’s experience leading forward-thinking strategies to do just that are one of the many reasons we knew he was perfect for this position across our sports and entertainment properties.”

Colangelo’s experience in sports spans over three decades and includes roles in three of the professional sports leagues. Prior to joining the Tigers in 2008 he was most recently the Vice President, Communications for the New York Jets (2002-07); Vice President, Communications and Community Affairs for the Florida Marlins (1996-2002); and Assistant Director, Public/Media Relations for the Florida Panthers (1993-96).

“This is such an exciting time to be a sports fan in Detroit, and it’s an honor and a privilege to take on this responsibility,” said Colangelo. The Olde English ‘D’ and Winged Wheel are two of the most iconic brands in all of sports, and I’m proud to play a role in engaging the millions of passionate Tigers and Red Wings fans across the globe.”

Since joining the Tigers, Colangelo has led a team of communications professionals that collaborates with the media and broadcast rights holders daily, while acting as a liaison between the club’s social media team and uniform personnel. Overseeing the club’s day-to-day media and public relations, Colangelo continues to drive business impact for the club’s marketing, digital, community and sales initiatives, while also focusing on building brand equity beyond traditional media outlets.

Colangelo was born in New Jersey and holds a communications degree from William Paterson University and attended Arizona State University. He enjoys traveling with his family, with particular interest in exploring cultures throughout Europe and South America. Ron and his wife, Sandra, along with their three children, and two rescue dogs reside in Metro Detroit.

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Little Caesars, the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, is pulling out all the stops by partnering with Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford, launching season-long pregame promotions, and focusing on giving back to underserved communities.  Earlier this summer, the third-largest pizza chain in the world announced a multi-year partnership with the NFL.  

“We are really excited to work with Matthew Stafford for our debut as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL,” said Greg Hamilton, senior vice president of marketing at Little Caesars. “As a leader in the pizza business, it made perfect sense for Little Caesars to partner with a leader on the field – the most recent Super Bowl champion quarterback. His relentless commitment to winning mirrors our relentless commitment to value, convenience, and quality.”  

The first television spot will feature Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in a training camp setting with Little Caesars employees and football fans, all training for this season’s most important play – securing Little Caesars pizza. The advertisement was created in partnership with creative agency McKinney.

“Working with Little Caesars has been a great experience,” said Stafford. “I’ve had a lot of fun getting a sneak peek at some of the amazing things they have planned as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, including this first commercial. I’m excited to continue my work with this brand and to enjoy their delicious pizza while doing so.”

Little Caesars is also launching a brand-new promotion as part of the partnership. The Pizza!Pizza!® Pregame will entice NFL fans to enjoy a pizza while watching their team without missing any game-time action. When fans order their favorite Little Caesars items before any NFL game begins this season, they will be entered for a chance to win a variety of football-related prizes and pizza-related perks, including tickets to Super Bowl LVII*. The Pizza!Pizza! Pregame promotion begins on the first NFL regular season game day on September 8, with more details to be announced through Little Caesars social media channels and on LittleCaesars.com.

Both Little Caesars and the NFL have a long history of giving back to the community and this new partnership includes a robust charitable giving component. The Little Caesars® Love Kitchen®, a restaurant on wheels, will visit key NFL event cities throughout the year, working in tandem with the league to give back by serving pizza to communities in need.  In addition, the two organizations will make significant monetary donations in these cities to help provide ongoing support. Food insecurity is a component of the NFL’s focus on economic advancement as part of the Inspire Change program.

The first serving will take place on Wednesday, September 7 in Los Angeles during the Rams’ Kickoff week activities celebrating their Super Bowl win and the start of the 2022 season. Partnering with the Rams and the Thinkwatts Foundation, an organization with a focus on community programming and grassroots activations, pizza will be served to approximately 500 people at Ted Watkins Park. In addition, a $125,000 check will be presented to the Thinkwatts Foundation.  The Little Caesars Love Kitchen has served nearly 4 million people in the 48 contiguous states and four Canadian provinces.

“One of our core values is giving back to the communities in which we do business,” said David Scrivano, presidentand CEO of Little Caesars. “Food insecurity impacts so many people in the United States, and the Love Kitchen helps to provide meals to those in need. We are proud to work together with the National Football League to build on our legacy of community service.”

Several future Love Kitchen servings will take place in key NFL event cities.

Little Caesars revolutionized the pizza industry with HOT-N-READY® pizzas for convenient pickup and launched its first Super Bowl ad in 2020. The brand launched a new digital ordering platform and delivery services in 2020 to make pizza nights even more accessible and convenient for families. Little Caesars is a perfect match for the more than 100 million NFL fans who regularly watch football games and want their game-time meals quickly and easily – whether they choose delivery, the exclusive Pizza Portal® pickup, or carryout.  

*Promotion Details: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.), 18 years of age and older. Void where prohibited. Promotion begins 9/8/22 at 7:00 PM ET and ends 1/8/23 at 8:29 PM ET. Entry only open during entry windows specified in the Official Rules. Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, will be available at littlecaesars.com/nfl starting on September 8, 2022. Sponsor: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc., 2125 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201. The NFL Entities have not offered or sponsored this Promotion in any way.

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On Friday, August 19, the Detroit Tigers celebrated their 17th Annual ¡Fiesta Tigres! event—an evening to honor the contributions of past and present Latino players and coaches, while also celebrating Latin American culture. Prior to the evening’s events, the Tigers held a luncheon to celebrate Barbaro Garbey, a Cuban-born player and member of the 1984 Tigers World Series team.

The first 10,000 fans who entered Comerica Park received a ¡Fiesta Tigres! hat provided by Miller Lite. A Mariachi Gallos de Oro band and DJ Tony Toca performed around the stadium to set the tone for the evening, while select Latin American Tigers’ players signed pre-game autographs for fans. A special ceremony was held on the field prior to the first pitch to honor Garbey and current Tigers, who held flags from their countries of origin.

For the first time in franchise history the game was simultaneously called in Spanish and English. The Spanish language broadcast aired on WSDS La Explosiva 1480 AM, with Carlos Guillén Altuve, Detroit Tigers’ Media Relations and Bilingual Coordinator serving as the play-by-play announcer, and famed broadcaster and Venezuelan journalist, Mari Montes providing color analysis.

“It was an honor to not only celebrate Latin American culture in baseball, but to participate in a Spanish broadcast with the Tigers, following suit of many other Latin broadcasters who came before us and broadcasted baseball in our native languages, among other MLB teams,” said Guillén Altuve. “To have Mari — who is not only a dear friend, but a monumental and impactful woman in her career — work with me side-by-side was special and will be an unforgettable experience.”

Mari Montes boasts a standout career in her profession—starting in Venezuela as a young baseball reporter, quickly earning her own radio segment, “Por la Goma,” then announcing for eight seasons with the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. She immigrated with her family to the United States in 2014 and began covering Major League Baseball in 2017 with the Miami Marlins. Since then, she has published multiple books and covered the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals. She now belongs to an exclusive list with eight other Venezuelans, as members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

“There are young journalistic communicators who [heard] me and saw that the barriers are falling, and doors are opening for us,” said Montes. “This is a commitment and a challenge for me to have been ready when the Tigers called; and this is a lesson to young journalists to keep preparing and don’t stop dreaming, because your dreams are possible when you work hard for them.”

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Local black-owned businesses will sell their food and beverage offerings as part of an ongoing series during Tigers homestands at Comerica Park this summer.

Joining the roster recently was Shell Shock’d Tacos, founded in Detroit by local entrepreneurs Cedric Andrews and Danielle “Margo Moon” Bigham. Shell Shock’d Tacos brings craveable tacos, nachos, elote and more to hungry Tigers fans.  

“It’s a dream come true for us to be at Comerica Park,” said Moon, as she served fans. “We are so grateful for the opportunity. Everything has gone smoothly, and the fans are really enjoying our tacos. They have made this feel like home!”

Andrews and Moon dreamed up Shell Shock’d during the pandemic and opened on a small scale as a pop-up in 2021. From there, Andrew and Moon partnered with local TikTok food influencer @detroitdar and saw their brand awareness skyrocket, taking them from the one weekly pop-up to more than 70 pop-ups in the summer months. Shell Shock’d has done pop ups at Michigan State University, Delmar Detroit, Rocket Mortgage, Andy’s Farm and even the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland.  

Along the way, Shell Shock’d considered innovative ways to make their food easy to grab and go – even traditionally delicious, but often messier dishes like elote (Mexican street corn). This concept, ideal for food truck stands, fairs and sporting events, is one reason that Andrews and Moon feel they set themselves up for success in venues like Comerica Park.

“We think it’s kind of corny,” said Moon, laughing at her unintended pun, “To walk around with a big piece of corn at crowded places. With our food, it’s smaller, cooler, and easy to eat. Just pick it up and eat it – and enjoy.”

Moon and Andrews’ goal through their food is to have no need for additional sauces or seasoning. All of Shell Shock’d’s sauces and seasonings are made in house, and their tortillas, meats and produce are purchased locally, with a goal to keep all money circulating through local, small businesses.

“We are heavily inspired by Latin flavors and cuisines; however, we cook for our city,” said Andrews. “We believe in taking greatness and not re-inventing the wheel, but just taking the wheel and putting our flavor on it.”

Both Andrews and Moon credit Detroit for investing in small businesses, as neither of them are new entrepreneurs. “Before we met, we were both products of the incubation, revitalizing small business, Lifeline, and TechTown graduates,” said Andrews, who has used his skills learned in his other ventures combined with Moon’s skillset to successfully partner on Shell Shock’d. “We went through those processes with our own separate businesses and then came together.”

The Shell Shock’d Tacos presence at Comerica Park is part of a dedicated effort to support Detroit-based, minority-owned businesses through various activations in The District Detroit.

“Shell Shock’d Tacos embodies the incredible hospitality, flavorful food and vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that make Detroit so amazing,” said Chris McGowan, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “We’re grateful to have the ability to connect local restaurants like Shell Shock’d with Tigers fans and offer a greater variety of menu items as part of the overall fan experience.”

In partnership with Delaware North, which operates concessions at Comerica Park, several other black-owned businesses are present throughout the season including local favorites Bert’s Marketplace, Breadless and YumVillage.

Shell Shock’d is located at 2535 Bagley, Detroit, MI 48216 and you can follow them @ShellShockdTacos and at ShellShockdTacos.com.

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Professional internships have the power to shape a student’s future career by providing work experience beyond what can be taught in a classroom. Since 2015, the Ilitch companies have partnered with Detroit Public School’s Cass Technical High School on a paid internship program for juniors and seniors, with about 125 students participating to date.

The Ilitch companies internship program provides Cass Tech students with experience at Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Little Caesars, Olympia Development and Ilitch Holdings. The students work on business projects throughout the summer in areas including event management, marketing, public relations, information technology, finance and human resources.

“Access to opportunity is a core value of our organization, and we are so proud of our long-standing internship program with Cass Technical High School,” said Rian Barnhill, Vice President, Community and Government Affairs at Olympia Development. “The student interns from Cass Tech are a direct reflection of the city of Detroit. They are smart and enterprising, and we look forward to having them year after year.”

This spring, 19 students are currently participating in the seven-week internship program, which includes enrichment opportunities such as meetings with company executives, professional workshops, networking opportunities, outings and tours.

One of the Detroit Public School Community District’s (DPSCD) strategic priorities is to dramatically improve the academic experience of all students to ensure they are college and career ready.

“This opportunity is a great example of how the District is partnering with local businesses and alumni to enhance career-focused training and essential skill development for students across multiple career pathways,” said Shawn Hill, Deputy Executive Director, DPSCD. “The experiences students gain from industry professionals can inspire them to positively impact their school, neighborhood, and city.”  

In addition to the real-world professional experience, the 2022 have interns have had some fun during only-at-Ilitch companies events. Recently, they were recognized before a Detroit Tigers game during an on-field ceremony at Comerica Park. They’ve also been able to connect with former Cass Tech interns to get advice and hear about how the internship was a building block for former interns’ careers.  

“I was very excited when I learned that I was selected for the internship, and it has been an incredible learning experience so far,” said Jecholiah Marriott, a Cass Tech senior currently working in the Ilitch Holdings, Inc. communications department. “Interning at the Ilitch organization has opened my eyes to a new world of future career opportunities, and I know it will be a strong addition to my college applications.”  

The Ilitch organization has a long-standing partnership with Detroit Public Schools Community District. For the past two years, Olympia Development has participated in innovative, hands-on educational programs such as Project Destined, which offered a real estate internship for high school students in the city of Detroit.

In the spring of 2022, the Ilitch organization and Detroit Public Schools came together for another opportunity for students with An Evening of Fine Arts. More than 200 Detroit middle and high school from DPSCD’s fine and performing arts departments got the chance to perform on stage at the historic Fox Theatre.

Learn more about the Cass Tech High School internship program and this year’s talented participants in this video:

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Little Caesars Pizza, the third largest pizza chain in the world*, is growing its presence in Colombia with its first restaurants in Cali. The global brand—which is based in Detroit, Michigan and currently operates in 27 countries and territories—will open a store located at Av Roosevelt and 37 in Cali on August 16, with plans to open more locations in the city over the next few years.

“LCPZ Colombia is a proven franchisee not only in Colombia but throughout Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and we’re thrilled to expand our brand with them in Cali,” said Jeremy Vitaro, Little Caesars chief development officer. “Colombia is a key market for us in Latin America, especially as the pizza market continues to grow in that region. We have a strong presence in Bogotá, and it only made sense to develop next in one of Colombia’s largest cities, where we now can offer our signature, high-quality pizza at a great price.”

This announcement marks the second anniversary of Little Caesars Pizza in Colombia. The chain opened there in 2020 with two stores in Bogotá, and it now has nine locations across the country. Little Caesars aims to continue its expansion efforts with plans for double-digit store growth over the next four years.

“Since our launch in Colombia, we’ve served an estimated 1.3 million pizzas to more than 1 million people and created over 300 employment opportunities for Colombian citizens,” said Jaime Press, country manager for franchisee LCPZ in Colombia. “We look forward to serving more communities across Colombia with our recognized value, quality and convenience as we expand our footprint.”

Little Caesars Pizza is the only pizzeria to offer its signature HOT-N-READY® model in Colombia, giving customers the easy and quick option to simply stop in and carry out a selection of freshly made, great-tasting pizzas and side items at an affordable price without waiting or ordering ahead. Additionally, the stores in Bogotá located at Calle 170, Av. El Dorado and Madelena feature a drive-thru where customers can purchase HOT-N-READY® menu items without leaving their cars.  

The menu in the Cali store will feature favorites from the other Colombian locations, including pepperoni and cheese HOT-N-READY® pizzas. To celebrate its grand opening, for a limited time, the Cali store will also offer the EXTRA!EXTRA! pizza, which features half with extra pepperoni and the other with extra signature cheeses. Other delicious offerings include the 4-N-1 pizza, which has four unique and delicious topping combinations: cheese; pepperoni; pepperoni and Italian sausage; and pepperoni, green pepper and ham. Little Caesars signature Crazy Bread® and Crazy Puffs will also be available. All pizzas on the menu are large, 35 cm.

Little Caesars Pizza has increased its international presence by recently opening restaurants in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Canada, the Caribbean, and Asia Pacific. Over the last few years, the chain has opened stores in Spain, Singapore, Chile, Peru and many others. It has plans to enter the United Kingdom and Portugal later this year.

With aggressive plans to continue growth throughout the world, Little Caesars Pizza is actively seeking entrepreneurs, focusing specifically on markets in South America, Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Visit International.LittleCaesars.com for more information about franchising opportunities.  

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The Little Caesars Love Kitchen, a big rig pizza kitchen on wheels, partnered with the Special Olympics’ Unified Cup Detroit 2022 to provide fresh pizza meals to approximately 800 of its athletes, volunteers, and staff. The serving took place during the Men’s & Women’s Division One Championship Match at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Michigan.

“Little Caesars is proud to help support the Special Olympics,” said Greg Hamilton, senior vice president of marketing at Little Caesars. “The Unified Cup is such an exciting event, and we’re excited to serve Little Caesars pizza to athletes from all over the world competing in the championship finals.”

The Little Caesars Love Kitchen has served nearly 4 million people in the 48 contiguous states and four Canadian provinces. It has responded to natural disasters, including the northern Michigan tornado in May 2022, as well as during national times of need, such as providing meals to first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Established by Little Caesars in 1985, the Love Kitchen exemplifies Little Caesars’ strong tradition of giving back to the community.

“Little Caesars is always looking for a way to make a difference,” said David Scrivano, president and CEO of Little Caesars. “Whether the Love Kitchen is serving the less fortunate, responding to a disaster, or celebrating the global community of athletes competing in the Unified Cup, we are committed to continuously building on our legacy of serving others and supporting our communities.

Local Little Caesars franchise owners and company regional offices donate all food and labor costs for the Love Kitchen servings. An estimated 50,000 Little Caesars franchise owners and employees have volunteered their time over the years to support the program in their local communities.  

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