Chris Coffman Named Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Chief Commercial Officer

Chris Coffman, who has led Ilitch Sports + Entertainment’s corporate partnerships sales and activation teams for more than two years, has been named the organization’s first Chief Commercial Officer.

Coffman was hired as IS+E’s Vice President of Corporate Partnerships in December 2019, before being promoted to Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships in November 2021. In his new and expanded role, Coffman will oversee corporate partnership sales, activation and solutions across the organization, in addition to managing the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings marketing, creative and fan experience teams.

Specifically, Coffman and his teams will continue to identify and secure partnerships with corporate sponsors, advertisers and other key stakeholders, build new sponsorship platforms using a data-driven and solutions-based approach, and champion initiatives to enhance the fan experience at Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena.

“Chris is a talented executive and a tremendous leader who excels at developing relationships and building culture. He has done an incredible job leading our Corporate Partnerships function and I am thrilled for him to take on the additional responsibility of overseeing our outstanding marketing, creative services, and fan experience teams,” said Ryan Gustafson, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “He has a unique passion for our brands and Detroit sports fans, and we look forward to the great things ahead under his continued leadership.”

Prior to joining IS+E, Coffman was the Tournament Director of The Ally Challenge, a PGA event through the HNS Sports Group, from 2017-19. He spent more than 20 years working in golf sales leadership roles for Taylor Made (1993-2004) and NIKE (2005-16), in addition to a stint with Detroit-based Greyson Clothiers.

“I’m very excited about this new role and want to thank Chris Ilitch and Ryan Gustafson for the opportunity,” Coffman said. “We have a talented group of hard-working colleagues across the organization, and I look forward to continuing to work with them every day. It’s a tremendous time in Detroit and we can’t wait to create more incredible memories for Tigers and Red Wings fans.”

Coffman earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Baylor University in 1991 and was a member of the Bears’ men’s golf team. He and his wife, Traci, reside in Ann Arbor. All three of their kids, Will, Julia and Catie, attended the University of Michigan.