Christopher Ilitch

Christopher leads and provides oversight to the Ilitch companies – the businesses that were founded or purchased by Detroit entrepreneurs Mike and/or Marian Ilitch. 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 23,000 people. Their 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 and president and CEO 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 sports and entertainment district is comprised of eight world-class theatres, five neighborhoods, four professional sports teams and three multi-use sports facilities, including the new, state-of-the-art Little Caesars Arena – home of the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Pistons and world-class entertainment and community events. The economic impact of The District Detroit to the region and the state of Michigan is expected to exceed $2 billion.

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 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.