Since 2023, at least eight men connected to the Detroit Tigers, its business operations, or its broadcasting partner have been accused of misconduct toward women, according to an investigation by The Athletic. Those accused include four vice presidents and other high-ranking staff members.
Seven of the eight men were alleged to have mistreated women employed by Ilitch Sports and Entertainment (IS+E), which oversees the Tigers, the NHL’s Red Wings, Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena, and other venues. Allegations spanned from inappropriate remarks to physical incidents. Six of the men either resigned, were fired, or were not retained — three leaving in a six-month span starting last November. One vice president was suspended only after The Athletic sought comment regarding accusations against him.
Employees described the workplace as a “boys’ club” where women were subjected to repeated comments about their appearance and even told not to wear certain clothes because male staff found them “distracting.” One executive allegedly questioned whether women were “attractive enough” to work in sports. “It feels like a place where guys can get away with whatever they want,” one current male employee said. “Women can’t feel safe here.”
The investigation began after longtime Tigers executive Sam Menzin abruptly resigned in April 2024. Internal inquiries revealed he had sent unsolicited, lewd photos to multiple women. Interviews with more than 45 current and former employees, along with internal emails, HR files, texts, and court records, painted a troubling picture of systemic issues.
The Tigers are also among just three MLB teams that don’t provide paid maternity leave. Multiple women said they had never before felt so marginalized in a workplace. Age discrimination lawsuits added to the organization’s challenges, with several former employees alleging that leadership pushed out older staff to make room for younger hires.
Some of the most severe allegations included:
Michael Lienert, a vice president, allegedly entered undisclosed relationships with coworkers and in early 2023 pushed a female colleague down a flight of stairs. He resigned after being suspended.
Josh Bullock, a vice president in Lakeland, Fla., was accused of verbally harassing staff and later shoving a female employee in February 2025. He was fired in March.
Rob Gehring, director of video content, was repeatedly accused of inappropriate conduct toward women and dismissed in November 2024.
Peter Soto, vice president of fan experience, allegedly made sexualized remarks over live audio channels and was suspended pending investigation.
Ben Fidelman, communications executive with ties to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, has been accused of yelling at women and making belittling remarks. Despite formal HR complaints, he was promoted to vice president in June 2025.
Broadcasters associated with the Tigers were also implicated. Cameron Maybin allegedly made inappropriate comments and sent suggestive messages to colleagues during his 2023 season as a studio analyst. Craig Monroe, another analyst, was removed from broadcasts in 2024 after being accused of sexually abusing a minor.
Beyond individual misconduct, employees said a chaotic business restructuring worsened the culture. Since 2021, IS+E has had three different business presidents reporting to team owner Chris Ilitch. HR resources were stretched thin, with some women claiming their complaints were ignored or dismissed as “just how things are.”
Even when IS+E launched a women’s employee group in 2024, requests for paid maternity leave and basic workplace improvements were ignored. Only after The Athletic’s inquiries did the organization announce plans to add a 12-week paid maternity leave policy starting in 2026.
Though the Tigers are enjoying success on the field and chasing their first division title in over a decade, behind the scenes, employees described a culture of favoritism, exclusion, and fear of retaliation. “They celebrate like everything is great because the team is winning,” one staffer said. “But let’s be honest — it’s not.”
