Christopher Ilitch, President, and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., announced recently that the sports and entertainment executive Chris McGowan has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (IS+E).
IS+E is the business division of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, The District Detroit, Olympia Parking, and the Ilitch joint venture (JV) interest in 313 Presents. In this newly appointed role, McGowan will work closely with Ilitch to enhance the fan, guest, and partner experience across Ilitch-managed properties and venues.
McGowan, who began his duties on Monday, January 3, now reports directly to Ilitch. He replaces Chris Granger, who served as Ilitch Holdings’ Group President for Sports and Entertainment since 2017, according to a company release. Detroit Red Wings EVP and GM Steve Yzerman and Detroit Tigers EVP and GM Al Avila will continue to report to Christopher Ilitch.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Chris and his family to Detroit and our organization,” said Ilitch. “He has a proven track record in professional sports and live entertainment, and a passion for creating exceptional experiences. I look forward to working with Chris and his team to deliver innovative, engaging, and inspiring programming and campaigns that will appeal to our fans, colleagues, and partners.”
Since 2018, the business operations of the Red Wings, Tigers, The District Detroit, Olympia Parking, and the Ilitch JV interest in 313 Presents have functioned under the same umbrella, with shared services across the ticket sales and service, corporate partnership sales, and activation, operations, marketing, finance, and more. Under McGowan’s leadership, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment will produce cohesive and innovative strategies with the engagement of Detroit sports and entertainment fans, partners, and employees at the forefront.
Along with serving as the sales and marketing arm of the Red Wings, Tigers, The District Detroit, and Olympia Parking, as well as maintaining a joint venture interest in 313 Presents, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment will continue to operate Little Caesars Arena, home of the Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and world-class entertainment; Comerica Park, home to the Detroit Tigers; and the iconic Fox Theatre. It will also provide facility management services at DTE Energy Music Theatre, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre, and Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill.
“I’m thrilled about the opportunity to join the Ilitch organization and to lead Ilitch Sports and Entertainment,” said McGowan. “It’s an exciting time for both the Red Wings and Tigers and The District Detroit is a sports and entertainment epicenter unlike any other in the country. I look forward to getting started and helping bring memorable experiences to the great people of Detroit and beyond for years to come.”
McGowan’s hire came along at the tail end of a nationwide, inclusive search process conducted by search firm TurnkeyZRG, the leading talent recruitment firm in sports, entertainment & media.
He arrives in Detroit after spending the past nine years (2012-21) as President/CEO of the Portland Trail Blazers. In 2018, he was named to the additional role of CEO of Vulcan Sports & Entertainment, including the Seattle Seahawks, where his responsibilities expanded further into the professional sports franchises entertainment properties in the Vulcan portfolio, including the Moda Center, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and the Rose Quarter campus. McGowan also served as VSE representative for the ownership stake in the Seattle Sounders (MLS).
McGowan also spent 16 years with Los Angeles-based Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), including a final assignment as Chief Operating Officer of AEG Sports. He played a key role in opening Staples Center, one of the country’s most iconic sports and entertainment venues. McGowan earned his bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Delaware in 1996. He and his wife, Susan, have two sons, Ryan (19) and Kyle (17).
McGowan has a passion for making business decisions with sustainability in mind. During his tenure with VSE, Moda Center became the first-ever existing LEED O+M v.4.1 Platinum venue in 2019 – a certification that is important to the organization when making decisions around waste, energy, food, water, and transportation.
In 2017, McGowan was honored as one of the “Business Executives of the Year” by the Portland Business Journal. Locally, he was active in the Portland community and served as a board member of the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation, Oregon Sports Authority, Oregon Business Council, and Trail Blazers Foundation.
In August 2013, McGowan and his team negotiated a community partnership with Moda Health that included naming rights to Moda Center. Together, Moda and the Trail Blazers have energized Portland’s hub for sports and entertainment, creating an urban showcase for healthy, active living.
McGowan earned his bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Delaware in 1996.
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