DETROIT — Billionaire businessman Mike Ilitch, who founded the Little Caesars pizza empire before buying the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers, won praise for keeping the professional sports teams in the city as others relocated to new suburban stadiums.
Ilitch’s family said in a statement that he died Friday at a local hospital. He was 87. No other details were provided by family spokesman Doug Kuiper.
Known simply as “Mr. I” to most in Michigan, his family called him a visionary who set the tone for them and his company.
“He was a strong businessman, an innovative leader and a loving family man,” Michigan Gov.