Ilitch Holdings CEO Chris Ilitch and his wife, Kelle Ilitch, have filed for divorce, prompting questions about his stake in his family’s business empire, which includes the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings.
Chris Ilitch formally took over the teams and other companies in a portfolio that includes Little Caesars Pizza and Olympia Development after the 2017 death of his father, Mike Ilitch. Ownership structures of the various businesses are unknown, and Mike Ilitch left behind five other living children and his wife and business partner, Marian Ilitch, reportedly now worth $3.9 billion.
Whether the Ilitch couple’s separation will have bearing on the hockey club or the baseball operation will largely depend on Chris’ ownership stake and whether legal documents are in place to prevent their being considered marital assets, such as a pre- or post-nuptial agreement, experts said. Marital assets are generally divided equally between spouses.
The Red Wings are owned by Ilitch Holdings and the Tigers — according to Forbes and Crain’s Detroit Business — are in a family trust. Chris Ilitch is listed as Tigers CEO and chair and Red Wings governor, president and CEO.
