In its special series on casino ownership in Detroit,
the DETROIT NEWS' DeHaven & Woolley examine the Ilitch
family's business interests, including Marian Ilitch's 17.5%
ownership of Detroit's planned Atwater/Circus Circus Casino,
which is under review by the MI Gaming Control Board.
Marian holds casino ownership while she "shares a household
and multiple business ties" with her husband, Tigers/Red
Wings Chair & Owner Michael. From "buying land for stadium
parking to holding concession agreements for the new
Comerica Park, Marian Ilitch plays a role in Michael
Ilitch's baseball team. She has even signed her name to
stadium agreements on behalf of 'Tiger-related' parties."
But Ilitch spokesperson Tom Shields denies any conflict
between Marian's ownership role in the casino and her ties
to the team, despite MLB rules barring team officials from
having any gambling ties: "There is no casino problem. She
has never had any legal official involvement with the team
as an owner. There is no [MLB] rule about being a vendor."
While the Ilitches "declined to provide team ownership
records" to the DETROIT NEWS, records show that Marian is
"involved in Tigers-related activities." Marian is a co-
Owner with her husband of Olympia Entertainment and Olympia
Development, which has business with the Tigers. Another
"potential conflict" is her role in Ilitch Ventures, which
oversees the family's sports/entertainment interests. While
Ilitch Ventures is being run by Richard Peters, spokesperson
Shields said the Tigers would be removed from the group if
MLB "raised concerns" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/26).
