BREAKING: At least eight employees of the Detroit Tigers have been accused of misconduct towards women in a shocking report released by The Athletic today. This urgent update follows an extensive investigation that began last April, examining allegations from 45 current and former employees and reviewing emails, HR documents, and court records.
The report details that women employed by Ilitch Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Tigers, were subjected to inappropriate conduct by seven of the eight men named. The organization stated in response, “We are committed to a culture of respect, safety, and inclusion,” emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment.
As a result of the findings, six employees were either fired or did not have their contracts renewed. One individual was suspended after The Athletic sought comments regarding allegations against him last week. This swift action underscores the organization’s commitment to addressing these serious accusations promptly.
Notably, former Tigers assistant general manager Sam Menzin resigned in April after sending unsolicited, lewd photos to multiple women in the organization. Additionally, former sales vice president Michael Lienert resigned in 2023 after reportedly pushing a female co-worker down a flight of stairs during an undisclosed relationship. Both men did not respond to requests for comment.
The investigation also revealed that Ben Fidelman, the director of communications and broadcasting, faced allegations of gender discrimination and retaliation. However, the organization clarified that the investigation into Fidelman was unrelated to sexual harassment claims, noting that “no wrongdoing was found.”
As the AL Central-leading Tigers approach the end of the regular season with fewer than three weeks left, this scandal casts a shadow over their potential first division title since 2014. The implications of these misconduct allegations could have lasting effects on employee morale and public perception of the franchise.
Expect further updates as this story develops, and consider the impact on the sports community and the ongoing dialogue surrounding workplace misconduct. The organization has pledged to maintain transparency as they navigate these serious allegations.