There are exciting changes taking place at Ilitch Sports + Entertainment and Ryan Kane became the newest member to join the team as Senior Vice President of Business Operations (Detroit Red Wings and Little Caesars Arena). Kane most recently served as VP of Business Analysis with Ilitch Companies. In his new role, he will oversee the overall business operations of the Red Wings, Little Caesars Arena, Olympia Parking and Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, including developing and implementing strategies for business growth. Kane will report to IS+E EVP/COO, Ryan Gustafson.
Kane brings a wealth of knowledge and well-versed experience to IS+E in competitive industries including media, sports, telecommunications, food and beverage, and automotive. He joined Ilitch Companies in 2015 as the Director of Finance and has since been instrumental in leading many key initiatives, including playing a major role in negotiating the move downtown for the Detroit Pistons to play at Little Caesars Arena.
“This is a very exciting time to join Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, with so much positive momentum with our iconic Detroit sports franchises,” said Kane. “Throughout my career, including during my time with Ilitch Companies, there has been an extraordinary emphasis on innovation and implementing high-impact business operations. Our team will push forward with that as our primary goal, continuing to bring guests a first-class experience at Little Caesars Arena and beyond.”
Early in his tenure, Kane negotiated a merger between Palace Sports & Entertainment and Olympia Entertainment’s music businesses and played a key role in the formation of the joint-venture entity – 313 Presents.
Prior to coming to Detroit, Kane worked for Rogers Sports & Media where he assisted in revenue planning and business development in support of the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) acquisition while also working on strategy and revenue planning as part of the NHL National Broadcast rights deal for the Canadian marketplace.
Kane has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Finance from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.
