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Ilitch
Organization
exploring
the
launch
of a
regional
sports
network
DETROIT
- The
Ilitch
organization,
which
represents
leading
sports
and
entertainment
brands
such as
the
Detroit
Tigers,
the
Detroit
Red
Wings,
Olympia
Entertainment
and a
joint
venture
interest
in 313
Presents,
today
announced
that it
is
exploring
the
creation
of a new
regional
sports
network
(RSN).
The RSN
would
serve as
the
television,
broadcast
and
distribution
home for
the
Detroit
Tigers,
the
Detroit
Red
Wings
and
additional
sports-
and
entertainment-related
content.
The
extensive
exploratory
process
will
begin
immediately,
and no
deadline
has been
set for
completion.
“FOX
Sports
Detroit
is a
great
partner
and we
look
forward
to
discussing
renewal
and
extension
possibilities,”
said
Chris
Granger,
Group
President,
Sports
and
Entertainment,
Ilitch
Holdings,
Inc. “At
the same
time, we
have two
perennially
highly-rated
and
historic
franchises,
which
provide
compelling
year-round
content
and
programming.
As such,
we feel
our
organization
is
uniquely
positioned
to
explore
the
launch
of what
we
believe
could be
a highly
successful
regional
sports
network.”
Starting
in 1959
with the
opening
of a
single
Little
Caesars
Pizza
restaurant
in
Garden
City,
Michigan,
the
Ilitch
organization
has
subsequently
grown
into a
$3.6
billion
organization,
consisting
of 10
operating
companies
spanning
the
food,
sports,
and
entertainment
industries.
Most
recently,
the
Ilitch
organization
invested
$1.4
billion
in The
District
Detroit,
home to
all four
of
Detroit’s
major
professional
sports
teams.
Additional
entertainment,
dining,
retail,
residential
and
office
developments
in The
District
Detroit
are
underway.
“As
leaders
in the
rapidly
evolving
sports
and
entertainment
industry,
the
creation
of a new
network
would be
a
natural
business
extension
for our
organization,”
said
Granger.
“Live
sports
remain
some of
the most
sought-after
content
on
television
and
across
digital
platforms.
We look
forward
to
exploring
how a
new
network
could be
of a
positive
benefit
to our
teams,
fans and
community.”
The
Tigers
and Red
Wings
rank
number
one and
two,
respectively,
in terms
of total
primetime
consumption
in the
Detroit
television
market.
Notable
RSNs
that are
owned
either
fully or
in part
by
sports
properties
include
YES
Network,
SNY,
NESN,
MSG,
MASN and
Altitude
Sports.
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