Don't be Fooled by Silence: Clan Ilitch likely Supports (Perhaps Funding) New International Trade Crossing (NITC) Effort

That Tom Shields is out front on behalf of, and viciously attacking opponents of, the proposed New International Trade Crossing (NITC) and that Mike Malik, Mike & Marian Ilitch, and the Ilitch brands are conspicuously absent is not insignificant. They are either very involved behind the scenes helping to bankroll the efforts to approve NITC or they're asserting to Matty Moroun and the people at Ambassador Bridge that they're not involved (albeit with fingers crossed behind their backs) while their agent Shields' is an attack dog for the pro-NITC cause.

NITC:  Which Way Ilitch?

Bridge Battle Posts at HuffingtonPost.com

Tom Shields is the president of Lansing, Michigan-based Marketing Resource Group.  A large segment of his business is earned representing affiliates/partners of Michael J. Malik, Sr., and/or Mike Ilitch and his wife Marian Ilitch (Ilitch Holdings, Inc., Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Little Caesar's pizza, MotorCity Casino, etc.).

If one sees Shields' name associated with any business coalition, political committee or a client that's not one of the premium brands mentioned above, odds are still pretty good that he's there because Malik and the Ilitches want him to be.  When Shields refuses to reveal to a reporter who it is that's bankrolling a coalition or committee he's pimping for, odds are good Malik & the Ilitches are funding all or part of the effort.  And even if Malik or the Ilitches don't have any direct interest in the coalition, political committee or client Shields claims to be representing, you can bet he has their blessing; otherwise, he wouldn't take the assignment.

So with that in mind, consider that Shields' is the spokesman for a coalition baking the New International Trade Crossing (a proposed second bridge connecting Detroit with Windsor, Canada).  That bridge is at the center of a multi-million dollar, no holds barred, war raging in Michigan and beyond. (Read more at Huffington Post).

Typically, Shields' has refused to disclose who is funding the political, lobbying and advertising battles for the pro-NITC group although he's published a list of more than 100 individuals and organizations that "endorse" NITC. If those funding his coalition are on that list, why wouldn't he just point to that list? Take a look at that list.  Then consider who's not on the list but would have interests in such an international connection.

You'll note that Michael Malik, Mike & Marian Ilitch, Christopher Ilitch, plus any of their venerable brands are conspicuously absent from the list; as are any of Detroit's three commercial gambling halls including the Las Vegas-owned MGM Grand Detroit.  Yet, Shields is the mouthpiece for the "coaltion" backing the proposed government funded bridge.  Hmmmm....

If Ilitch or gambling money isn't backing the pro-NITC group, you can bet that Shields has their blessing.  Otherwise he'd have turned down the role.

If Ilitch and company brands or Las Vegas gambling interests are bankrolling the pro-NITC effort, there are many reasons political, marketing, etc. that they would want to keep that on the down low. That they've "secretly" funded Shields' campaigns and coalitions previously shouldn't surprise anyone that they could likely be bankrolling this pro-NITC effort now.

But perhaps they're not providing funding, or publicly endorsing but simply loaning Shields out to the cause.  Maybe there's a conflict of interest on their part.

Consider that TVT has previously linked Michael Malik (and the Ilitches) with Manuel "Matty" Moroun, owner of Detroit's existing Ambassador International Bridge -- the decades old privately owned toll-bridge. And it's Moroun, along with the Koch brothers and others who are funding the multi-million dollar battle against the proposed NITC which would be built in large part with government funding.

Among other things, Moroun and Michael Malik have been Grosse Pointe neighbors.  Malik owns property across Lake St. Clair on Harsens Island. Malik had dusted off and re-introduced development plans for Harsens Island a year or two ago that included a large man-made lagoon (marina) with access to the North Channel plus several hundred residential units (single family estate lots, attached garden homes and high-rise condominiums) surrounding the lagoon.  The Ilitch's daughter Denise and her ex-husband originally owned the Harsens Island property and coincidentally, or maybe not, Moroun was also talking about a new Harsens Island bridge at the same time.

That Tom Shields would be playing such a high-profile role in such a contentious and expensive battle over the NITC, suggests he's doing it with the Malik/Ilitch blessing or even more so, at their request.

Regardless, someone should be asking these obvious questions.

See also:

• Ilitch Associate is Manager of Bridgeview RE Ventures L.L.C.,
• Border Crossing South L.L.C. is Headquartered at Ilitch Holdings Office
• Marketing Resource Group: the Tom Shields-owned Political/PR Firm is a Slave to Ilitch/Malik Affiliates
• Ilitch casino frontmen doing damage control again
• Team Ilitch packaged Hawaii gambling initiative as "grassroots;" failed to disclose lobbying payments
• Tom Shields was spreading rumors about Sen. Harry Reid; now his team blames Reid
• Grosse Pointe Neighbors have big plans for Harsens Island
• MAP of the Malik Grosse Pointe properties and surrounding neighborhood
• Harsens Island; a half-way-point in a new system of toll-bridges between Canada and the Michigan mainland?
• Yet another set of circumstances linking Ilitch / would-be Harsens Island Developer and Detroit International Bridge Builder
• Developer of proposed Harsens Island Crossing toll-bridge purchasing land?

Forbes Reports Ilitch-Owned Franchise one of NHL's Most Valuable

Detroit Red Wings Second  Most Profitable US Franchise;
 MotorCity Casino Workers Forced to Pay Own Healthcare Costs

Forbes' 2011 NHL Team Values

Forbes is out with its 2011 NHL Team Values: The Business of Hockey. Despite economic woes among other US sectors, Forbes reports the NHL valuations have hit an all-time high. The Detroit Red Wings, owned by Michael and Marian Ilitch, valued at $336 million, ranks #4 out of 30 NHL teams. That's up 7% over 2010.

Forbes Profile
Billionaire Michael Ilitch, through Olympia Entertainment, has a highly integrated and valuable entertainment empire. In sports, Olympia controls the Red Wings, Little Caesars AAA hockey club and baseball's Detroit Tigers, as well as their stadiums, Joe Louis Arena (hockey) and Comerica Park (baseball). Outside of sports, Olympia runs the Fox Theatre (over 4,800 seats), Cobo Arena and Hockeytown Cafe,voted the number two sports bar in the country week after week by ESPN2’s Cold Pizza. Olympia also owns food distribution businesses that Ilitch leverages at his stadiums and a casino in Detroit.

The Red Wings are a significant part of the annual marketing plan for the Ilitch-owned MotorCity Casino frequently making guest appearances and hosting star-studded poker tournaments. Unfortunately for the Ilitch bank the same isn't true for the Ilitch-owned Detroit Tigers baseball team. Given its history of scandals, Major League Baseball has specific regulations prohibiting the mingling of baseball and gambling interests.

The Ilitches realized a $16.3 million operating income from their NHL franchise this past season ranking it the #2 most profitable US franchise; and players and management continue to draw multi-million dollar paychecks. Ilitch continues to fuel up the Gulfstream Jet for the clan's personal travel and vacation in Boca Raton, FL. Their business partner paid $5.4 million cash for a New York Penthouse. Those aren't the circumstances for the hardworking staff at MotorCity Casino. In a labor negotiation that took place earlier this Fall, the Ilitch gambling hall workers were told to start paying some of their own healthcare costs or face job loses.

#Occupy Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

Don't Let 'em Fool You...

In gambling the many
   must lose...
in order that the few
   may win.

George Bernard Shaw

Consider this: The owner of Detroit's MotorCity Casino and her husband (Mike & Marian Ilitch) are now worth $2 billion according to Forbes -- up from $1.7 billion in 2010. They've taken millions from MotorCity Casino to pay-off Las Vegas casino moguls and Wall Street fat cats. But in October, workers at MotorCity Casino were told to start paying some of their own healthcare costs or face job loses.

D'Amato's Online Gambling Advocacy Group has paid his Lobbying Firm $1.73 Million

Former U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato (R-NY) is the chairman of the Poker Players Alliance, an online gambling advocate group, and also founder and managing director of Park Strategies LLC, a lobbying firm with offices in New York, Washington DC, Taipei, Albany, Buffalo and Long Island.

Source: OpenSecrets.org

According to the New York Times, Poker Players Alliance, a U.S. nonprofit interest group, is funded with money from foreign online gambling companies. Federal investigators are looking into allegations that PPA is away for foreign interests to simply funnel campaign money to Members of Congress. PPA has paid D.C. lobbyists more than $15 million during the last decade.

Since 2007, Poker Player's Alliance, the nonprofit organization D'Amato serves as chairman of the Board, has paid $1.73 million to Park Strategies LLC, the lobbying firm founded by D'Amato.

Detroiters Marian Ilitch and Michael Malik have hired D'Amato to represent at least one of their gambling affiliates, Gateway Casino Resorts.

Through Gateway, the Detroiters hope to secure an opportunity to open an Indian casino nearest New York City, in partnership with the newly recognized Shinnecock Indian Nation. Their latest schemes would include developing, managing and operating a casino at the famed Belmont Race Track on Long Island.

Mrs. Ilitch owns Detroit's highly leveraged  MotorCity Casino.  Her husband Mike Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers (MLB).  They are the co-founders of the Little Caesars pizza enterprise and owners of the Detroit Red Wings (NHL).  Ilitch Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of these affiliates.

When the Michigan Gaming Control Board refused to issue a commercial gaming license to Michael Malik in 1999, he was forced from the original MotorCity Casino partnership.  For more than a dozen years, he and Marian have failed to get commercial gambling approved in Hawaii; and also failed at numerous schemes to open off-reservation Indian casinos in California, Michigan and New York.  Failing to ever obtain a Michigan gaming license, Malik also ventured into the online gambling industry but when the U.S. adopted stricter regulations, he put that on hold.

Concerns Raised that "Investors" like Ivy Ong, Ilitch Family are Dangerous to Tribes' Long Term Interests

The Shinnecock Casino Campaign: Tribal Identity, Local Politics and Tangled Legalities

By John A. Strong

Professor Emeritus , Long Island University

...Ivy Ong, apparently frustrated that Peebles’ initial legal strategy had been rejected by Judge Platt, was reported to be negotiating the sale of his majority interest in the Shinnecock casino with [Michael Malik and ] Michael and Marian Ilitch, who own Little Caesar’s Pizza, the  Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Red Wings and MotorCity Casino.

 Tribes have had to rely on sources of money and support which have their own agendas.  Signed agreements with tribes stipulating a specific percentage of the anticipated casino profits, for example, can be used as collateral to raise money for another enterprise.  Investors, such as Ivy Ong and the Ilitch family, are willing to spend huge sums of money in the hopes that there will be a profitable payoff in casino profits.
 
If there is no immediate pay-off, they move on, often leaving the tribe in disarray.  There is a danger that a small tribe will find it difficult to protect its own long term interests when dealing with such wealthy, highly sophisticated groups of investors and their teams of lawyers and public relations consultants...

MotorCity Casino Workers Give Back Gains to Keep Jobs; Ilitch gets richer

Casino workers agree to givebacks

Greektown's unions vote for deal with health care changes

10.26.2011

Detroit— Workers voted Tuesday to ratify a four-year agreement with MotorCity Casino.

Nearly 70 percent of the MotorCity workers who voted approved the new contract, compared to 74 percent at Greektown on Monday.

Union workers at MGM Grand Detroit will vote Thursday.

"As a trustee of the local and a member of the bargaining team for Teamsters Local 372, I'm elated with the 'yes' vote," valet Mark Williams said in a statement issued Tuesday night by the local, which represents valets, front desk staff, phone operators, warehouse, grounds and general workers. Williams has worked at MotorCity for nine years.

"This was a tough set of contract talks when you factor in the difficulty of our region, but our bargaining team worked hard with our membership and at the negotiation table to get the best possible agreement for our members," said Dave DeLong, president of Teamsters Local 372.

The Detroit Casino Council, a coalition of five unions, including the Teamsters, represents nearly 6,000 union members at Detroit's three gambling houses. While the Detroit Casino Council did not release details, UNITE HERE Local 24 indicated on its website that workers would make monthly payments on health care coverage.

Greektown, which last year emerged from bankruptcy protection, has posted a 1.8 percent revenue loss through the first nine months of the year.

Revenue grew at MotorCity and MGM Grand through the first three quarters this year.

"It seems to me that this is a tough time economically, and workers in many industries, especially unionized workers in nontechnology industries, are being convinced they have to give back gains to save jobs," said Frank Fantini, editor and publisher of Fantini's Gaming & Lodging Reports in Delaware.

All three casinos assumed large debt loads to build new casinos and hotels required by Detroit, said Jake Miklojcik, a Lansing-based gaming consultant who sat on Greektown's board of directors during bankruptcy. The casinos make mediocre profit margins compared with other industries, he said.

"You don't have as much wiggle room because of the debt," he said.

Forbes reported in September that Mike & Marian Ilitch are worth $2 billion.  That's up from $1.7 billion in 2010.  Marian Ilitch owns Detroit's MotorCity Casino.

See also:

• Forbes says Ilitch worth $2 Billion; Ranking #212 among Richest Americans, #5 Richest in Michigan
• Detroit #1 on Forbes' List of America's Most Dangerous Cities!
• Ilitch Gets Richer on the backs of Detroit's working class; Detroit still America's most Dangerous City
• Ilitch Unlikely to get Taxpayer Subsidies for a New Detroit Hockey Arena

Ilitch Unlikely to get Taxpayer Subsidies for a New Detroit Hockey Arena

New Detroit hockey arena likely faces funding hurdles
Unlike Comerica Park, Ford Field, public money likely a tough sell this time around
10.22.2011

By Louis Aguilar

When Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch recently pledged again to build a new arena in downtown Detroit, economic analysts said it was not an empty promise.

Despite an uncertain economy and a lack of public appetite for sports facility subsidies, building an arena in Detroit is still doable, but would require some creativity, they said.

"He's going to have to make a dramatic statement of faith in Detroit again to build a new hockey arena," said Scott Watkins, an economist for Anderson Economic Group in East Lansing, who has done analyses on building sports venues. A new hockey arena would cost an estimated $300 million to $400 million to construct.

"Mr. Ilitch and Red Wings fans see Hockeytown — a city and region very loyal to professional hockey," Watkins said. "What global lenders see is a risky investment. Their view is there would be no guarantee that for 10, 20, 30 years a hockey franchise can be supported in an area with declining population and declining income."

The hockey arena has been a long quest. Ilitch for five years has actively explored building a new arena downtown to replace the 35-year-old Joe Louis Arena and more recently said he wants to construct such a facility. The hockey team and city-owned Joe Louis Arena are still negotiating an extension of the lease.

"Like I've stated before, we're gonna have a new arena," Ilitch told The Detroit News last month during an exclusive interview. "That's the best thing I can say." On Friday, Ilitch Holdings announced that Eric Larson, an A-list real estate developer with a long track record of high-profile deals, is now in charge of all current and future real estate transactions for Olympia Development, the Ilitch entity that would play a big role in a new hockey arena deal.

There are bigger obstacles for Ilitch to clear on a new arena than he had to overcome to build Comerica Park, the home of his Tigers. The path of public and private financing Ilitch took to create the ballpark is likely unavailable to him now, several analysts contend.

Comerica Park opened in April 2000 and cost $300 million to build. Ilitch paid $185 million of the cost of the stadium, owned by the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority, and subleased to the team. The rest was paid for by the city of Detroit, Wayne County and corporate investors. The state of Michigan provided infrastructure improvements.

The stadium authority issued $85 million in 30-year tourist tax bonds in 1997 for the baseball stadium and, with interest, will pay about $176 million by 2027, according to the stadium authority. The bonds are paid twice yearly with revenue from a 2 percent rental-car tax and 1 percent hotel tax in Wayne County. The tax needed Wayne County voter approval.

In this era of painful budget cutting, getting voter approval for another venue is a tough sell, said Bernie Porn, president of EPIC-MRA, an opinion research firm in Lansing that does polling on statewide issues.

"The Tigers could win the World Series, the Red Wings could win the Stanley Cup, and I still don't see how he (Ilitch) gets voter approval for an arena," Porn said.

"Not that I have done any polling about the issue, but in this climate, I think it would be seen as a billionaire is asking for a tax break," he said. "But if you are asking me if he gets it done, I think that answer is yes."

What Ilitch has is rock-solid support in Michigan's corporate community and plenty of his own resources. Mike Ilitch and his wife, Marian, owner of Detroit's second-largest gaming hall, MotorCity Casino, have a combined fortune of $2 billion, according to Forbes magazine. That includes their Little Caesar's pizza franchise empire headquartered in downtown Detroit.

He also could get major help from other Michigan businesses. In September, the Red Wings announced the organization signed a "presenting" sponsor agreement with Amway, the private Ada-based company owned by the DeVos and Van Andel families. Terms of the multiyear deal were not disclosed, but the deal includes Amway's logo being embedded in the ice and signage elsewhere at Joe Louis Arena, and community programs to help young people in Grand Rapids and Detroit.

What the Ilitch, DeVos and Van Andel families share are deep pockets and a love of professional sports.

Amway co-founder and billionaire Richard DeVos owns the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic, and the team backed $100 million worth of bonds issued by the city of Orlando to build the $480 million Amway Center, which opened last year.

DeVos also supplied $50 million to help build it and $1 million in rent each year and $40 million to put the Amway name on the building.

"The resources are there for the arena to get done," Watkins said. "I'm looking forward to see what the formula will be."

Ilitch Hires Larson for Downtown Detroit Development

GlobeSt.com - Ilitch Hires Larson for Downtown Development

10.25.2011

By Robert Carr

Eric Larson | Olympia Development

DETROIT-Ilitch Holdings Inc. has hired Eric Larson, CEO of Bloomfield Hills, MI-based Larson Realty Group, as head of its property group. Mike Ilitch, the founder of the Little Caesars pizza franchise, holds one of the largest portfolios of downtown property through subsidiary Olympia Development.

Ilitch’s son Atanas stepped down as president of Olympia Development in mid-June to “focus on private outside business ventures.” Olympia is known for the redevelopment of the Fox Theatre, the Hockeytown Café and the development of Comerica Park, the Detroit Tigers baseball stadium.

Olympia also has the lease on the Joe Louis Arena, the Detroit Red Wings hockey arena downtown. There was talk this past year of Ilitch possibly building a new stadium downtown if the purchase of the Detroit Pistons basketball team went through, but the team was instead bought by Los Angeles-based billionaire Tom Gores. Olympia continues a short-term lease of the 32-year-old Joe Louis Arena, and Ilitch has been mum on future plans.

Larson will head the Olympia Development team, but he hires on only as an executive real estate consultant, and will maintain his private real estate firm. With more than 25 years experience, he previously worked for Hines and Bruce S. Brickman & Associates Inc. before joining his father, the late Robert Larson, a former CEO of Taubman Centers Inc...

Ilitch could get Hockey, Gambling, Entertainment Complex in NY before things materialize in Detroit

Officials eye Coloseum-Belmont Scenario

10.04.2011

By Randi Marshall

Nassau County officials are considering a scenario in which a new Nassau Coliseum could be built at Belmont Park, a move that could pair a racetrack, hockey arena and casino into a sports-entertainment center.

"This is an option and all options are on the table," said Brian Nevin, a spokesman for County Executive Edward Mangano.

Hofstra University president Stuart Rabinowitz raised the possibility Tuesday during a meeting of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, of which he is vice chairman along with Long Island Association head Kevin Law.

Moving the arena to Belmont would free up the 77 acres of Coliseum land for a potential research and development park, or a mix of other uses, Rabinowitz said.

Any move to the Elmont site would likely require state approval, because it is on state land, he added.

"The concept of a sports arena at Belmont has been around for some time," said State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola), whose district includes the Belmont site. "It lends itself to it."

Hempstead Town Board member Ed Ambrosino first raised the idea with Mangano over the summer -- and more serious discussions began after a referendum seeking to borrow public funds for a new arena failed, Ambrosino said.

Ambrosino said he has spoken with a "multinational" company interested in locating its research and development facilities on the Coliseum land. It would, he added, mesh well with Hofstra and the other academic facilities in the area.

Meanwhile, Belmont could then include the raceway, Coliseum and a casino proposed by the Shinnecock Indian Nation.

"You're talking about a massive entertainment destination," Ambrosino said.

A person close to the Shinnecock Indian Nation, who said he had not known about the idea, said the tribe would support the Coliseum within the Belmont Park location, where tribal leaders have been working for months to shore up support after abandoning an earlier plan to locate a casino at the Nassau Hub.

"We liked the idea of the Coliseum site because of the synergy it would create as an entertainment destination," said the person. "Throw in a world-class horse racing track and you really have a home run."

The New York Islanders have said they will not play at the Coliseum after their lease expires in 2015. Islanders senior vice president Michael Picker did not return calls for comment.

Mangano remains interested in finding a plan that could leave the Coliseum at the current site if a parking facility could be built, Rabinowitz said. At Belmont, officials said the existing parking could be shared with the raceway -- and would likely be sufficient.

Speaking at the council meeting Tuesday, Rabinowitz said Nassau County has not yet submitted a project to the group, but plans to by the Oct. 14 deadline.

Mangano said last week that he was planning to seek state funding for the Coliseum site, adding that a request for proposals for the land would emerge later.

Blogger's Note:  The  Shinnecock Indian Nation has an agreement with Gateway Casino Resorts (Michael Malik and Marian Ilitch) to develop and manage any casino resort project the tribe moves forward on since it received Federal Recognition.  Marian Ilitch and her husband Michael own the Detroit Red Wings (NHL) and manage Detroit's Joe Lewis Arena (Olympia Entertainment).  Marian owns Detroit's MotorCity Casino. Anticipating a more active business life in New York, their partner and agent Mike Malik bought a $5.4 million NYC penthouse in 2010.

Forbes says Ilitch worth $2 Billion; Ranking #212 among Richest Americans, #5 Richest in Michigan

Forbes 400 | #212 M/M Ilitch

Forbes' 2011 List of 400 Richest Americans is out. The net worth of Detroit's Michael and Marian Ilitch is valued at $2 billion.  That's up from $1.7 billion in September 2010.  They are ranked #212 on the 2011 List of Richest Americans -- climbing 26 spots from 2010 (#238).

According to Forbes:

A stagnant economy continues to benefit Michael and Marian Ilitch's Little Caesar's chain, which sells $5 pizzas to penny-pinching consumers. Revenues are picking up at Marian's MotorCity Casino after a flat 2010. The Ilitch clan passed on the chance to buy the Detroit Pistons, but Mike's Detroit Tigers are in first place in the AL Central. Next up: a new downtown hockey arena for the Red Wings.

They share the #212 ranking with Neil Bluhm, John Catsimatidis, Edward DeBartolo Jr., Doris Fisher, Gordon Getty, Mark Pincus, Stewart & Lynda Resnick, J. Christopher Reyes, Jude Reyes, Eduardo Saverin, Richard Schulze, Ted Turner, Romesh T. Wadhwami and Kelcy Warren.

Forbes ranks Mr. & Mrs. Ilitch as the 5th richest in Michigan behind Richard DeVos, Frederik G.H. Meijer, Al Taubman and Ronda Stryker.

2011 Forbes 400 List - #212 Michael & Marian Ilitch

See also:

• Ilitch affiliate retains former U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato's lobbying firm to push New York Casino plans for Shinnecock
• Ilitch Family Amasses Debt for Sports, Entertainment & Gambling Affiliates
• UPDATED: 165+ Affiliates of Detroit Casino Syndicators Michael Malik & Mrs. Marian Ilitch
• Scandal Continues to Plague Political and Lobbying Activities of Detroiters Bankrolling Shinnecock Casino Plans
• Who Really Paid D.C. Lobbyists $5.6 Million? Poor Impoverished Tribes? "Investors" With Their Own Financial Woes?

Ilitch Family Amasses Debt for Sports, Entertainment & Gambling Affiliates

Debt Part of Ilitch Equation

10.19.2010
Featured originally as a side-bar to a story entitled Ilitch teams with tribe on N.Y. casinos: Long Island plans could top $1 billion

By Bill Shea

As the Ilitch family assesses how it will pay for the Detroit Pistons, Palace Sports & Entertainment Inc. and possibly a new downtown arena, debt remains on the family's past projects.

In January 2009, Marian Ilitch injected $45 million into her MotorCity Casino after lenders -- including Highland Capital Management LP -- threatened to hike interest rates to 18 percent on the $625 million loan her CCM Merger Inc. got in 2005 to finance purchase of the casino and for the later construction of its 300-room hotel.

The lenders reportedly wanted the additional investment because the casino was in jeopardy of violating its loan terms, a situation created when gambling revenue began to fall with the recession.

Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch arranged the loan in 2005.

The total financing for MotorCity is believed to be $950 million through a highly leveraged mix of fixed- and variable-rate bank debt and junk bonds, according to Forbes.

Ilitch paid $525 million to buy the majority ownership of the casino in April 2005 from Las Vegas-based MGM Grand/Mirage Casinos' Mandalay Resort Group, the MGM subsidiary that owned MotorCity.

She also paid Detroit entrepreneur Herb Strather $106 million for his Atwater Entertainment Associates LLC's 11.5 percent stake in MotorCity.

Another $85 million to $100 million went to former Ilitch partner Tom Celani for his 10 percent stake.

The Detroit Tigers, owned separately by Mike Ilitch, borrowed $140 million in August 2005 from a syndicate of 11 financial institutions, led by what is now Sumitomo Mitsui Bank, to refinance what had been $115 million remaining in debt from the original $145 million loan to build Comerica Park, industry magazine Sports Business Journal reported at the time.

The team has declined to comment on its current stadium debt.

Public debt on Comerica Park is through the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority.

UPDATED: 165+ Affiliates of Detroit Casino Syndicators Michael Malik & Mrs. Marian Ilitch

In addition to the Ilitch Family's established brands (entities that fall under the umbrella of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.), the majority of entities listed below are controlled by or have/had an affiliation with Marian Ilitch, Mike Ilitch, Michael J. Malik or their various partners in casino syndication opportunities.

Records on file with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development indicate most of these listed entities are registered at one of two locations:

• 2211 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 (The Fox Office Centre headquarters of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.); or

• 280 W Maple, Birmingham, MI 48009 (the law offices of Ehrlich, Foley & Serwer).

In most cases, the entities listed here have identified one of the following individuals as its “registered agent” on file with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development:

• Cheryl Scott-Dube,
• John M. Kotlar,
• Michael J. Malik, Sr.,
• William D. Serwer
• Joseph H. Ehrlich

The following are the many restaurant, entertainment, tourism, gaming and development entities believed to be (or have been) controlled by or affiliated with Marian Ilitch, Mike Ilitch or Michael J. Malik, Sr. The majority of these entities are related to various casino/development projects:

Atwater Casino Group
Atwater Companies, LLC
Atwater Detroit Corp
Atwater Development Company
Atwater Entertainment Associates LLC
Atwater Entertainment Productions, LLC
The Atwater Fund, LLC
Atwater Limousine Service
Atwater Management Corp. (DELLC)
Ballpark Operations Management, Inc.
Barstow Citizens for Real Economic Development
Barwest Gaming
Barwest Holdings, LLC
BarWest LLC
Barwest Manager, Inc.
Barwest, Inc.
Blue Line Distributing, Inc.
Blue Line Foods, Inc.
Blue Line Foodservice Distribution
Blue Water Equities, L.L.C.
Blue Water Holdings I, LLC
Blue Water Resorts Manager, Inc.
Blue Water Resorts, LLC
Border Crossing South, LLC
Caesar Fund Inc.
Cass Avenue LLC
Casino Funding Enterprises LLC
CB Property Holdings, Inc.
CB Property Investments LLC (Charlotte Beach)
CCM Merger, Inc (merged with Circus Circus Michigan)
CCM Merger Sub, Inc.
Champion Foods
Christopher P. Ilitch Revocable Trust
Chromatics (a DELLC dba)
Citizens For Fair & Responsible Gaming (a DELLC dba)
City Theater
Classic Buffet (a DELLC dba)
Classics Buffet (a DELLC dba)
Club Metro (a DELLC dba)
Club Metro Signature (a DELLC dba)
Cobo Arena (an Olympia Entertainment dba)
Dellc or DELLC (Detroit Entertainment LLC dba)
Detroit Entertainment LLC (dba MotorCity Casino, etc.)
Detroit Tigers, Inc.
Detroit Tigers Latin American Operations, Inc.
Detroit Red Wings
Downriver Properties & Land Development, Inc.
Elizabeth Street Properties LLC
Empire Associates, LLC
Empire Ventures, LLC
The Fox Theater (an Olympia Entertainment dba)
Gaming Entertainment Michigan (GEM) LLC
Gateway Casino Resorts, LLC (Hamptons/Long Island, NY Casino)
Gateway Funding Associates
Gateway Holdings, LLC
Gateway Manager, Inc.
Grand River Deli (a DELLC dba)
GP Development LLC
Hawaii Entertainment Associates, LLC
Hawaiian Manager, LLC
Holomua Hawaii
High Octane Café (a DELLC dba)
Hockeytown Cafe (an Olympia Entertainment dba)
I.E. Enterprises
IH Gaming, Inc. (successor of Circus Circus Michigan, Inc.)
IH Indemnity, LLC
IH Management, Inc.
I.H. Management, L.L.C.
Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
Innkeepers Managment LLC (owns Thomas Edison Inn)
Iridescence Experience (a DELLC dba)
Iridescence Restaurant (a DELLC dba)
Joe Louis Arena (an Olympia Entertainment dba)
JR Property Holdings, LLC (Heather Lufkins Robinson lawsuit)
J.R. Michigan LLC (Johnny Rockets)
Lakeland Tigers Food Service, Inc.
LC/CS Westland Inc. (Little Caesars/Chicken Shack)
LCB Barwest Holdings, LLC
LCB Barwest Manager, Inc.
LCB Barwest, LLC
Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. (multiple dba's)
Little Caesars International (See: List of 28 Other Assumed Names)
Little Caesars Pizza
Malik Developments Co
M&M Ventures, Inc.
M & M Ilitch Holdings, Inc. (est. 1997; changed name to Ilitch Holdings, Inc. in 2001)
M & M Realty Holdings, LLC
M & M Realty Holdings II, LLC
Michael Ilitch Trust
Michael J. Malik, Sr. Revocable Living Trust
MJM Barwest, LLC
MJM Bay Mills, Inc
MJM Blue Water, LLC
MJM Blue Water Investors, LLC
MJM Border Holdings, Inc.
MJM Charlotte Beach, LLC
MJM Consulting Associates, LLC
MJM Development Holdings, LLC (?) Delaware 8/21/06
MJM Enterprises
MJM Enterprises Development Co. (North American Gaming
Company)
MJM Gateway, LLC
MJM Interactive Venture, LLC
MJM Investments, LLC
MJM Manager, Inc.
MJM Manistee Inc.
MJM Music Productions, LLC
MJM Pleasant Family Holdings, LLC
MJM Retail Ventures, LLC
MJM Royal Properties, LLC
MJM Security Venture, LLC
MLC Financial Corporation
MM Annuity I, LLC
MM Annuity II, LLC
MM Family Mineral Ventures, LLC (Michael Malik)
MM Holdings, LLC
MMI Holdings LLC
MRS Holding Company, LLC
Moose Building, LLC
MotorCity Casino (a Detroit Entertainment LLC dba)
MotorCity e-cash (a DELLC dba)
MotorCity Memories (a DELLC dba)
MotorCity Millionaires (a DELLC dba)
MotorCity Pit Stop (a DELLC dba)
MCC Radio (a DELLC dba)
MCC Records (a DELLC dba)
MCC Recording Studio (a DELLC dba)
MotorCity Casino Radio (a DELLC dba)
MotorCity Casino Records (a DELLC dba)
MV Land Holdings, LLC
North American Gaming Company (MJM Enterprises Development Company)
Northern Michigan Food Services Company
Olympia Arenas, Inc.
Olympia Aviation, LLC (Tigers/Red Wing Airplane)
Olympia Building Corp.
Olympia Development, LLC
Olympia Development of Michigan, LLC
Olympia Entertainment, Inc.
Olympia Entertainment Overdrive (a DELLC dba)
Olympia Entertainment Tiger Ballpark, Inc. (dba Comerica Park)
Olympia Land Holdings, LLC
Paradice Entertainment and Gaming, LLC
Paradice Feed Company, LLC
Paradice Hunt Club
Paradice Hunt Club II, LLC
Paradice Marketing and Sales, LLC
PKC, L.L.C.
PKC, L.L.C. of Michigan
Ren Cen 4 Theaters, Inc.
Renegade Charters, LLC
Renegade Charters Manistee, LLC
Second-City, Detroit (an Olympia Entertainment dba)
Seven I's Inc.
Seven I's Realty Holdings, LLC
Signature Club (a DELLC dba)
Taillights (a DELLC dba)
The Atwater Fund, LLC
Tres Vite, Inc.
TS Ventures (Twist & Shout Gourmet Pretzels)
Uptown Entertainment
Vapors (a DELLC dba)
West Grand River Lofts, LLC
X.R.N. L.L.C.
Z.L.M. Corporation
Z.L.M. L.L.C.
Z.R.X. L.L.C.

Please contact us via comment or email if you have questions or wish to suggest additions or corrections to these lists. Thanks to all those who have provide insight and information that's helped build this list.

Ilitch Family Property Transferred to Michigan Department of Treasury

The Michigan Department of Treasury is holding more than two dozen lots of "Unclaimed Property" belonging to members of Detroit's Ilitch Family, owners of Little Caesar Enterprises, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, MotorCity Casino and several dozen other affiliates under the Ilitch Holdings umbrella.  See references to the Ilitch property being held by the Treasury Dept. below:

ILITCH TREPECK C  BIRMINGHAM, MI	Property Number: 5883708
Transferred from:  AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
ILITCH LINDY A  TROY, MI	Property Number: 7929835
Transferred from:  DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
ILITCH PATRICIA  City Unknown, MI	Property Number: 6471735
Transferred from:  TIFFANY & COMPANY
ILITCH MICHAEL  BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI	Property Number: 10110984
Transferred from:  VERIZON WIRELESS
ILITCH CHRISTIAN THOMAS  ST CLAIR SHORES, MI	Property Number: 8975058
Transferred from:  WALT DISNEY COMPANY
ILITCH RYAN  ROYAL OAK, MI	Property Number: 13786404
Transferred from:  ASCENSION HEALTH
ILITCH MATTHEW  LIVONIA, MI	Property Number: 10019268
Transferred from:  BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN
ILITCH MICHAEL E  BIRMINGHAM, MI	Property Number: 11309441
Transferred from:  DAIMLER AG
ILITCH ATANAS  ST CLAIR SHORES, MI	Property Number: 8975058
Transferred from:  WALT DISNEY COMPANY
ILITCH MICHAEL E  BIRMINGHAM, MI	Property Number: 11309442
Transferred from:  DAIMLER AG
ILITCH MICHAEL E  TROY, MI	Property Number: 7929835
Transferred from:  DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
ILITCH DENISE  City Unknown,	Property Number: 14330657
Transferred from:  SERVICE CENTERS CORPORATION
ILITCH SUSAN  WATERFORD, MI	Property Number: 14091972
Transferred from:  AFFINITY GROUP CREDIT UNION
ILITCH LINDY A  TROY, MI	Property Number: 9856457
Transferred from:  METROPOLITAN TITLE CO
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192260
Transferred from:  CDW LLC
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192259
Transferred from:  CDW LLC
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192267
Transferred from:  CDW LLC
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192258
Transferred from:  CDW LLC
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192268
Transferred from:  CDW LLC
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192274
Transferred from:  CDW LLC
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192256
Transferred from:  CDW LLC
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192257
Transferred from:  CDW LLC
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192275
Transferred from:  CDW LLC
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192269
Transferred from:  CDW LLC
M M ILITCH HOLDIN  DETROIT, MI	Property Number: 13192276
Transferred from:  CDW LLC