.svg)
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Celebrates Black History Month With Hockey is for Everyone: Black History Night at Little Caesars Arena, Featuring February’s “Game Changers”
February 28, 2022
The Detroit Red Wings, Tigers and Comerica Bank are proud to continue the “Game Changers” program, highlighting people making profound difference in youth education, youth wellness or hockey and baseball/softball participation in the community. Recently, February’s Black History Month Game Changers were recognized during the Hockey is For Everyone: Black History Night at Little Caesars Arena.
“As we continue our Hockey is for Everyone game series, we’re proud to host Black History Night and honor four local Game Changers making an impact on the next generation of metro Detroit youth,” said Ilitch Sports + Entertainment director of community impact Kevin Brown. “The Hockey is for Everyone vision is more than a phrase. It’s a year-round commitment to ensure that on the ice, in the stands and across metro Detroit, we’re leveraging the platform and position of the Red Wings to move our game and our community forward.”
During a special reception in Little Caesars Arena’s Heritage Hall alongside 100 guests from their respective organizations, the Game Changers were presented with a donation to their charity of choice, as well as a commemorative plaque and Game Changer jersey. Following the reception, the Game Changers and their guests enjoyed the Red Wings game compliments of the team.
2022 Black History MonthGame Changers honorees:
Also in attendance were a number of 2021 Black History Month Game Changers: Portia Roberson, CEO, Focus: HOPE; Kenyatta Stephens, CEO, Black Family Development Corporation (BFDI); and Khali Sweeney, Founder & CEO, Downtown Boxing Gym.
In addition, more than 400 complimentary game tickets were distributed to deserving organizations across metro Detroit, including the Black Family Development Corporation, FOCUS: Hope, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, the YMCA and the Downtown Boxing Gym.
Throughout Little Caesars Arena, guests had the opportunity to engage in Black History Month themed activities: displays in celebration of the legacy of Black players in the Red Wings organization throughout arena, the Red Wings’ official Black History Month T-shirt – designed by young entrepreneurs from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan Fashion & Merchandising Industry Club – were for sale on the concourse, and the Detroit Red Wings Foundation’s 50/50 Raffle, led by volunteers from the Detroit Branch NAACP, provided a portion of the proceeds going to the organization. The Youth Hockey Player of the Game, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, was 12-year-old Detroit native Javion Harris Jr., who is a defenseman in the Detroit Ice Dreams Hockey Association. Detroit Ice Dreams, which was featured in our first Black History Month Game Changers story, is dedicated to promoting and subsidizing hockey for underrepresented youth in the community.
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Welcomes Ryan Gustafson as Senior Vice President, Business Operations Strategy
February 10, 2022
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announced that Ryan Gustafson has been named Senior Vice President of Business Operations Strategy. With a wealth of experience and a strong record of accomplishment, Gustafson will focus on project management, operational support and business development strategy to drive future growth. He begins on February 15, 2022, reporting to Chris McGowan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment.
Ryan’s experience, inventive thinking and integrity, along with his highly collaborative style, will be a great asset to the entire Ilitch Sports + Entertainment organization in this wide-reaching and highly visible role.
“We are excited that Ryan is joining our senior leadership group in Detroit, said McGowan. “His vast experience across multiple leagues and teams will be a valuable addition to Ilitch Sports + Entertainment as we continue to look for innovative ways to serve our fans.”
Gustafson brings nearly 15 years of strategic planning and revenue generation experience. Most recently, he served as strategy consultant at Elevate Sports Ventures and Pegula Sports & Entertainment. Gustafson previously held the position of Team President at the Seattle Dragons (XFL) where he led all business operations. Prior to that, he served as Vice President, Strategy & Development at the Seattle Sounders, where he oversaw all revenue-generating areas for the Club, and Vice President, Strategy & Innovation at the San Diego Padres.
Gustafson has overseen the development and implementation of short and long-term strategic plans, led innovative revenue generating initiatives, and headed up special projects surrounding data and analytics.
“I’m thrilled to join Ilitch Sports + Entertainment at such an exciting time for the Red Wings, Tigers, and in The District Detroit. I want to thank Christopher Ilitch and Chris McGowan for the incredible opportunity to join the team,” said Gustafson. “I look forward to getting started and helping create memories for the great people of Detroit and beyond.”
Gustafson earned his undergrad degree at the University of Puget Sound in economics and his MBA from Harvard Business School. He will relocate to the Detroit area from Seattle.
JoJo’s ShakeBAR Coming to The District Detroit
February 9, 2022
JoJo’s ShakeBAR, a modern take on the classic diner, is coming to Columbia Street in The District Detroit to serve up over-the-top milkshakes, craft cocktails and delicious diner fare.
JoJo’s Shake Bar is a light-hearted spot that sparks childhood memories with elevated, but familiar, diner and dessert creations. The 80s and 90s inspired diner will boast murals of celebrities with milk mustaches, Pac-man cocktail tables and same-sider booths, providing a fun atmosphere for children, families and adults alike.
“We are enthusiastic about what JoJo’s ShakeBAR will add to the great variety of dining, shopping and events already in The District Detroit,” said Stefan Stration, Vice President of Development at Olympia Development of Michigan. “Having original concepts like JoJo’s ShakeBAR, along with sports and entertainment, office, residential, educational, community spaces and much more, The District Detroit offers something for everybody in an appealing, one-of-a-kind atmosphere.”
JoJo’s ShakeBAR will occupy a 3,480 square-foot storefront on Columbia Street, the pedestrian-friendly retail and dining experience next to the historic Fox Theatre and the Little Caesars World Headquarters.
“We are super excited to be opening JoJo’s in The District Detroit,” said Castle Hospitality Group partner Robbie Schloss. “We are pulling out all the stops to bring a special experience that the community can enjoy.”
JoJo’s ShakeBAR is known as a next-generation diner grounded in nostalgia that is recognized for both its Instagrammable and larger-than-life aesthetic and menu. The concept is designed for guests to enjoy life’s playful moments with families and friends while devouring outrageous milkshakes and decadent diner food.
Opening Summer of 2022, JoJo’s ShakeBAR will add to the steady development progress in The District Detroit and joins recently opened Union Assembly, Mom’s Spaghetti, Frita Batidos, Tin Roof and The M Den, as well as the soon to be opened Detroit House of Comedy.
Detroit Tigers to Retire Lou Whitaker’s Number on August 6 at Comerica Park
February 8, 2022
The Detroit Tigers announced that Lou Whitaker’s No. 1 will be retired in a pre-game ceremony at Comerica Park on Saturday, August 6, 2022, presented by Bally Sports Detroit. The Tigers proudly salute Lou Whitaker for his on-field accomplishments during his 19-year Major League career, all spent in the Motor City.
One of the best players to ever wear the Old English D, “Sweet Lou” Whitaker’s career honors include five All-Star Game appearances, four Silver Slugger Awards, three Gold Gloves and being named American League Rookie of the Year in 1978. Whitaker teamed with Hall of Famer Alan Trammell to form the longest-running double play combination in Major League Baseball history as the duo anchored Detroit’s middle infield for 19 seasons.
Fans can be a part of the celebration with the corresponding “Double Play Deal” ticket package, which includes:
The ticket package will be available while supplies last and starts at just $65. For more information or to purchase tickets, fans can visit Tigers.com/DoublePlay.
Lou Whitaker’s career has been filled with awards and superlatives:
With soft hands, great movement, fluid body motion and strong and steady throws, Whitaker was one of the best second basemen of the 1980s defensively. With a longevity and consistency that is matched by very few in Major League Baseball history at second base, his fielding percentage of 0.9837 over 19,068 innings is simply outstanding. Whitaker played 2,390 games for the Tigers, third most in franchise history, and fourth best for a second baseman in MLB history.
While he was known for his incredible defensive skills, Whitaker brought excellence to all facets of the game. Not surprisingly, he ranks among the Tigers All-Time Leaders in over a dozen categories, including hits, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, runs scored, total bases and more. His career WAR (wins above replacement) of 75.1 is better than all but six second basemen in MLB history.
Little Caesars Gives Pizza Fans More to Love on Valentine’s Day
February 6, 2022
This Valentine’s Day, Little Caesars is making it easy to capture a pizza lover’s heart with a collection of unique merchandise at HotNReadyShop.com. From jewelry gifts (to dress up date night or pizza night) like Hot-N-Ready necklaces and pizza slice earrings, to items that make an evening in extra cozy like pizza slice blankets, Crazy Bread lounge sets and Little Caesars heart hand t-shirts, nothing says cheesy romance like Little Caesars.
For more about the merchandise line, which was first launched last fall, watch this video with Little Caesars Director, Global Brand and Creative, Jaime Pescia.
As an added treat, Little Caesars is also testing Crazy Bread Bouquets for Valentine’s Day in the Charleston, South Carolina area, allowing local customers to send cheesy, buttery-tasting bouquets made of the iconic breadsticks to their Valentines from February 7-14.
Little Caesars continually aims meet their customers where they are by creating fun and engaging offerings. Recently, the brand introduced The Batman Calzony, a bat-shaped product inspired by Gotham City’s Caped Crusader available for a limited time.
Detroit Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman Discusses Young Hockey Talent
February 6, 2022
Recently, Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman sat down with Bally Sports Detroit to discuss the exciting new generation of hockey players on the team and in the league.
Yzerman says that every year, the new players are “a little bit better athletes, they’re a little bigger, they’re a little stronger, they’re a little more skilled.” In fact, Red Wings’ Lucas Raymond currently leads the NHL in points by a rookie with 35 points, and Moritz Seider is tied for fourth place with 29 points.
Check out Steve Yzerman’s interview with Bally Sports below.
Detroit Tigers Host Online Auction to Benefit Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
February 6, 2022
In honor of Black History Month, the Detroit Tigers will host weekly charity auctions throughout the month of February featuring collections of Tigers and MLB Hall of Fame autographed items with proceeds benefitting Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
Auctions feature many of the great African American players to wear the Old English D, including Lou Whitaker, Willie Horton, Chet Lemon, Larry Herndon, Price Fielder, Cecil Fielder, Torii Hunter, Curtis Granderson and Gary Sheffield. Other auction items include baseballs signed by Hall of Famers Dave Winfield, Fergie Jenkins, Jack Morris and Alan Trammell, as well as additional autographed jerseys, bats, baseballs, photos and bobbleheads.
The auctions will take place weekly at https://Tigers.Auctions.MLB.com/ on the following schedule: auction #1: February 7-13, auction #2: February 14-20, and auction #3: February 21-27.
The Detroit Tigers and Ilitch organization have proudly maintained a long-standing relationship with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, providing financial and in-kind donations as well as engagement opportunities with players and colleagues. In recent years, Tigers African American players and coaches visited the museum during the team’s Winter Caravan where they toured the facility and interacted with students from Detroit Public Schools Community District. The Detroit Red Wings worked with The Wright to bring the NHL Black Hockey History Tour to the museum, and the Ilitch organization partnered with the museum on a virtual learning and celebration surrounding the Juneteenth Holiday led by Jonathon Jones, Manager of Youth & Family Programming at The Wright Museum.
More information on the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History can be found here.
Little Caesars Love Kitchen Returns Home to Detroit This Winter
February 5, 2022
each year, the Little Caesars Love Kitchen, a mobile 18-wheel truck that serves hot pizza to those in need at no cost, returns to the company’s hometown of Detroit during winter to offer help to Detroiters in need in its coldest months.
“Food insecurity is something that affects many in our city and the Love Kitchen is one way to help provide meals to those in need,” said Lisa Ruthven, who manages the Little Caesars Love Kitchen. “We are honored to serve alongside many nonprofits who are caring for those in need all year ‘round and build on our legacy of community impact each year.”
Throughout the month of February, the Love Kitchen is scheduled to visit more than a dozen community organizations throughout the city of Detroit. Among the planned stops are multiple Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries locations, an organization that has spent more than 100 years providing food, shelter and services to those in need, with services and programs designed to help them live productive and restored lives.
“Guests at our various locations in the Detroit area deeply appreciate the pizza treat they get from Little Caesars Love Kitchen, and we are happy they are getting yet another treat. Thank you, Little Caesars, for the love you show the homeless, ” says Dr. Chad Audi, Detroit Rescue Mission president and CEO.
Additional servings include the Salvation Army, Central United Methodist Church, St. Patrick Center, the Barack Obama Leadership Academy and SAY Detroit, Boys & Girls Club, Michigan Veterans Foundation, Capuchin Soup Kitchen and Covenant House.
For 37 years, the Little Caesars Love Kitchen has traveled across the United States and Canada to donate and serve pizza meals to those in need in the 48 contiguous states and four Canadian provinces. In addition to serving those in need daily, it has responded to natural disasters such as the Western Kentucky tornado in 2021, as well as provided meals in national times of need, such as Sept. 11, 2001. An estimated 50,000 Little Caesars franchise owners and employees have volunteered their time to support the program and feed over 3.7 million people in their local communities. The Love Kitchen exemplifies Little Caesars strong tradition of giving back to the communities where the company operates.
Learn more at LittleCaesars.com/LoveKitchen.
Detroit House of Comedy: Dynamic Club Coming to The District Detroit
February 5, 2022
Detroit’s comedy fans have something exciting on the way. Detroit House of Comedy, a comedy and entertainment venue at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Montcalm Street, will open in this summer in The District Detroit as Detroit’s only permanent comedy club.
The Detroit House of Comedy will be run by co-owners John Tobin and Rick Bronson and will host stand-up, improv and podcasts from established local, regional and national headliners, as well as up-and-comers with a focus on supporting comedians from Detroit and throughout Michigan.
The Detroit House of Comedy is patterned after Laugh Boston which rose to the forefront of the Boston comedy scene in recent years and the Plano House of Comedy in Texas. In addition to Laugh Boston, Tobin owns Nick’s Comedy Stop and a production company, John Tobin Presents. Bronson owns multiple House of Comedy locations in the U.S. and Canada. The two have more than 60 years of comedy and entertainment experience.
“I’ve had a long-time affection for Detroit and a deep respect for its people. We are really looking forward to providing top quality and wide-ranging entertainment for hard working Detroiters and the city’s many visitors,” said Tobin. “Stand-up comedy and its many off shoots bring joy and laughter to people by looking at life through diverse voices with different points of view. Comedians are always challenging the status quo and the absurd, and we feel that people, particularly today, are really looking for that kind of entertainment.”
The Detroit House of Comedy adds to the bustling entertainment offerings within The District Detroit, including the Columbia Street dining and retail destination, the iconic Fox Theatre, Comerica Park and the award-winning Little Caesars Arena.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Detroit House of Comedy and their premier brand of entertainment to The District Detroit,” said Stefan Stration, Vice President of Development at Olympia Development. “We know there is a huge market need for comedy in the city, and their highly interactive format combined with a roster of national headliners creates an ongoing must-see experience.” The 300-seat Detroit House of Comedy will be housed in the former City Theatre located inside Hockeytown Café and is expected to host multiple shows per week.