When Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch passed away yesterday at the age of 87, those who knew him believe his legacy will be one of a successful, ultra competitor writes the Detroit News’ Bob Wojnowski. Colleague John Niyo reports that Ilitch stopped at nothing to win, and recounts Ilitch’s rebuilding of the Red Wings. Niyo gives a fascinating look at how the Red Wings, bought for just $8MM in 1982 by Ilitch, had so few season ticket holders, that it only took 10 minutes to look them all up. The Red Wings would become synonymous with the words “Hockeytown,” thanks in large part to the dedication that Ilitch put in as an owner.
- With Ilitch’s passing, his son Christopher will take over the entire family fortune. JC Rendl of the Detroit Free press writes that Chris Ilitch will oversee the Red Wings, Tigers, and Little Caesars business, While rumors abound that the Tigers could be sold, no such rumor surrounds the Red Wings. The Detroit News’ Louis Aguilar wrote last May that Ilitch had been in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Ilitch empire, and wrote that at the press conference announcing the family succession plan that Christopher would assume duty of the business as well as the sports teams.
- According to the website Money Puck, the Red Wings have a 5.1% chance of making the playoffs. Earlier in the week, the Red Wings were feeling “bullish” about a playoff appearance, but the hope was dashed after a 6-3 throttling at the hands of the Washington Capitals. The Detroit News’ Ted Kulfan quoted several players, who feel that with many games left to play, nothing is off the table. Though Detroit is hovering in and out of the Eastern Conference basement, they sit only six points back of the final Wild Card spot and seven points out of third place in the Atlantic.
Mike Ilitch was a Husband…father…philanthropist…businessman…athlete and Marine. A truly self-made man, a citizen in the truest sense of the word and one of the saviors of the city he loved, Detroit, MI.