Billionaire Detroiter and serial entrepreneur, Dan Gilbert, has been the subject of reports this week regarding his interest in acquiring the Detroit Tigers. For the first time, the team addresses these reports.
It was reported this week that Dan Gilbert, a native of Detroit and self-made billionaire, was actively involved in talks to acquire the Detroit Tigers. Tigers fans immediately voiced their approval, en masse, for Gilbert to take the reins of the lackluster organization. His track record of revival with the Detroit economy and as owner of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers seemingly made it a no-brainer for him to acquire a new “project” by buying the Detroit Tigers.
Unfortunately, these plans don’t appear to be in the cards for the Detroit Tigers organization, now or in the future.
MLive’s Evan Woodbery reported Tigers’ GM Al Avila’s statements yesterday on recent reports suggesting a sale of the Tigers to Dan Gilbert.
“No, to my knowledge, nothing like that is going on. I can tell you that Chris Ilitch has told me that he’s committed to being the owner of this team 100 percent for the long term.”
Al Avila on report that Dan Gilbert was trying to buy Tigers: "No, to my knowledge nothing like that is going on. I can tell you that Chris Ilitch has told me that he's committed to being the owner of this team 100 percent for the long term."
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) September 29, 2018
When we consider how lengthy Avila can be regarding other team-related topics, it becomes clear that the organization has adopted a clear-cut plan: Say as little as possible and let this blow over.
The groundswell of support across the Tigers fan base for this move probably isn’t sitting well with the Ilitches, a household name for their accomplishments with the Detroit Red Wings organization and a topic of frustration for their underperforming Detroit Tigers teams.
BONUS CONTENT:
Detroit Tigers’ GM Al Avila comments on future of Nicholas Castellanos and James McCann
The Detroit Tigers have just one game remaining in their 2018 season and then it is time to start looking towards the offseason. It is an offseason that could be extremely interesting when considering Nicholas Castellanos and James McCann, two of the Tigers most popular players.
On Saturday, general manager Al Avila spoke about the offseason and about some of the important (and potentially unpopular) decisions that would have to be made.
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https://detroitsportsnation.com/detroit-tigers-news/ddrysdale/detroit-tigers-gm-al-avila-comments-future-nicholas-castellanos-james-mccann/09-2018/196555/
