Michael "Mike" Ilitch Sr. (born July 20, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan), is an entrepreneur and owner of the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. In addition to his sports ownerships, he is the founder and owner of Little Caesars Pizza since 1959, which has become an international fast food franchise. He has been at the center of Detroit's downtown redevelopment efforts when he purchased and renovated the Fox Theatre, and relocated his headquart...
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Michael "Mike" Ilitch Sr. (born July 20, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan), is an entrepreneur and owner of the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. In addition to his sports ownerships, he is the founder and owner of Little Caesars Pizza since 1959, which has become an international fast food franchise. He has been at the center of Detroit's downtown redevelopment efforts when he purchased and renovated the Fox Theatre, and relocated his headquarters into its offices. He is a first generation American of Macedonian descent. He is married to Marian Bayoff Ilitch.
A graduate of Cooley High School, Mike Ilitch entered the U.S. Marine Corps for 4 years. After his return home to Detroit, the Detroit Tigers offered him $5000 if he would sign to play baseball, and Ilitch would have a three year minor league career before he was forced out of his playing career due to a knee injury. Instead, he would go into the pizza business. With the help of his wife, Marian, the Ilitches opened Little...
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