Menu

June 18-20, 2018
Detroit, MI

REGISTER
Back to Speaker Faculty

Chris Ilitch

President & CEO, Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

CHRISTOPHER ILITCH

President and CEO, Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

Christopher Ilitch leads and provides oversight to the Ilitch companies – the businesses that were founded or purchased by Detroit entrepreneurs Marian Ilitch and/or Mike Ilitch (1929-2017). These businesses include: Little Caesars Pizza, Blue Line Distribution, the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, the Detroit Tigers, Olympia Development of Michigan, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program and Champion Foods. The organization also has a joint venture interest in 313 Presents. Additionally, Marian Ilitch owns MotorCity Casino Hotel. Together, these companies employ 24,000 people. The organization’s combined revenue in 2017 was $3.6 billion.

Christopher has held a variety of roles throughout the organization over the past 30 years. Currently, in addition to his leadership of Ilitch Holdings, he serves as the governor of the Detroit Red Wings, as well as the chairman and CEO of the Detroit Tigers. Christopher also serves as chairman of Ilitch Charities, a nonprofit organization that promotes charitable purposes aimed at developing communities and enhancing lives.

Christopher is currently leading the most ambitious development effort in the Ilitch organization’s history, The District Detroit. This dynamic urban destination in the heart of Detroit provides a dense neighborhood experience featuring a variety of developments alongside Detroit’s premier sports and entertainment venues. Bringing $1.4 billion in new investment to Detroit – including the new highly innovative and state-of-the-art Little Caesars Arena –The District Detroit is a driving catalyst in the city’s remarkable resurgence. 

Beyond his work at the Ilitch companies, Christopher is involved in various business and civic groups that help improve and promote Detroit and the region. He serves on the board, executive committee and nominating committee for Business Leaders for Michigan, as well as on the board and executive committee for the Downtown Detroit Partnership. He is also a member of the board of directors for the Detroit Economic Club.

Christopher has served on host/hospitality committees for several large-scale sporting events in Detroit, including the 2010 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four Hockey Championship (co-chair), the 2009 NCAA Final Four Men’s Basketball Tournament, Super Bowl XL and the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star game (chair).

Christopher holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He and his wife Kelle have three children and reside in metro Detroit.

Wednesday, June 20

Managing a Collection of Team Franchises and Corporations in an Ever-Changing Business Landscape

FEATURED INTERVIEW

Chris Ilitch, President & CEO, Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
Moderator: Abraham Madkour, Executive Editor, Sports Business Journal / Daily