DETROIT (WXYZ) — Business employees for the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and Fox Theatre are facing layoffs and furloughs.
Chris Granger, the group president of sports and entertainment for Ilitch Holdings, sent an email to employees that said the COVID-19 pandemic and shut down has forced the layoffs and temporary furloughs.
"Our industry, one predicated on bringing people together and designed to bring joy to so many, was the first to shut down and, most likely, will be one of the last to return," he wrote. "Indeed, even as capacity restrictions are relaxed, we remain severely limited in our ability to welcome back guests in any meaningful way. Of course, we are not alone. COVID-19 has negatively impacted the entire sports and entertainment industry, including our partners, our vendors, our sponsors, and our guests.
Granger wrote the company had not made decisions to layoff or furlough workers when the pandemic immediately began.
"While our moves today are difficult, I also want to let you know that we continue planning for our future. We are preparing for when our venues will be able to safely welcome guests, we are aggressively booking events into the future, and we are continuing to strategically invest in our teams, including in player development, analytics, scouting, and sports science," he wrote.
The company did not say how many people they are laying off or how many will face furloughs.
