Quick Facts: Detroit Tigers
| Current Owner | Ilitch family (Christopher Ilitch, President & CEO) |
| Ownership Type | Private |
| Ilitch Family Owner Since | 1992 |
| Purchase Price | $85 million |
| Family Business Origin | Little Caesars Pizza |
| Also Owns | Detroit Red Wings (NHL) |
| Current Leader Since | 2017 (Mike Ilitch’s death) |
Who Owns the Detroit Tigers?
The Ilitch family has owned the Detroit Tigers since 1992, when Mike Ilitch — founder of the Little Caesars pizza chain — bought the team for $85 million.
Mike Ilitch built one of the more unusual dual-sport ownership stories in American sports, buying the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings in 1982, a full decade before adding the Tigers to give the family control of two major Detroit franchises.
Following Mike Ilitch’s death in February 2017, his son Christopher Ilitch took over as president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, the family company overseeing the Tigers, Red Wings, Little Caesars, and the family’s other business interests.
Under Christopher’s leadership, the family has continued investing in both franchises and Detroit’s broader sports and entertainment district downtown, keeping the Ilitch name closely tied to the city’s professional sports identity.
Detroit Tigers Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Mike Ilitch buys the Red Wings | Mike Ilitch | First Detroit franchise for the family |
| 1992–Present | Mike Ilitch buys the Tigers, $85 million | Ilitch family | Family now controls two major Detroit teams |
| 2017–Present | Christopher Ilitch takes over | Christopher Ilitch | Following Mike Ilitch’s death |
About the Ilitch Family
Mike Ilitch and his wife Marian founded Little Caesars in 1959, growing it into one of the largest pizza chains in the country before using that wealth to build a two-team Detroit sports empire.
Christopher Ilitch has continued that legacy while also spearheading major real estate development around Detroit’s sports venues, aiming to revitalize the city’s downtown core alongside the family’s team ownership.
Key Ownership Highlights
- The Ilitch family owns two major Detroit franchises simultaneously: the Red Wings (since 1982) and the Tigers (since 1992), a rare same-city, cross-league combination.
- The family’s wealth is entirely pizza-industry sourced: Little Caesars, founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch in 1959, funded both team purchases.
- Leadership transitioned smoothly after Mike Ilitch’s 2017 death: son Christopher had already been active in the family business for years before formally taking over.
- Ownership has driven real estate development beyond the teams themselves: the family’s investment extends into Detroit’s downtown sports and entertainment district.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Detroit Tigers?
The Ilitch family, with Christopher Ilitch serving as president and CEO since 2017.
How much did Mike Ilitch pay for the Tigers?
$85 million in 1992.
Does the Ilitch family own other sports teams?
Yes, the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, bought in 1982, a decade before the Tigers.
What is the Ilitch family’s business background?
Mike and Marian Ilitch founded Little Caesars Pizza in 1959.
Who runs the Tigers today?
Christopher Ilitch, Mike Ilitch’s son, who took over Ilitch Holdings following his father’s death in 2017.
Part of the Ilitch Family Portfolio
The Ilitch family’s Detroit sports and business empire extends beyond the Tigers.
