Eight men affiliated with the Detroit Tigers have been accused of misconduct toward women since 2023, according to The Athletic.
Four vice presidents and two high-ranking employees were among those included in the allegations. Seven of the eight men reportedly worked with Ilitch Sports and Entertainment, which operates the Tigers, Red Wings, Comerica Park and Little Caesars Arena. Six of the eight men were either fired, resigned or did not have their contracts renewed, per The Athletic. One was suspended as a result of The Athletic’s investigation.
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A current male employee told The Athletic the working environment was “not a place women can feel safe.”
The Athletic launched its investigation into the team following the surprising resignation of longtime employee Sam Menzin, who most recently served as the assistant general manager with the Tigers before leaving in April. Menzin reportedly left the team after an internal investigation found that he allegedly sent lewd, unsolicited photos to multiple women employed by the team.
Another man accused of misconduct was former vice president of premium sales and private events Michael Lienert. During his tenure with the team, Lienert was accused of staring at women in a manner that made them uncomfortable. He also reportedly engaged in two relationships with female coworkers but did not disclose them to the team. Lienert was reportedly involved in a heated exchange with one of those women in 2023 and is accused of pushing the woman down a flight of stairs, three sources told The Athletic. Lienert was suspended by the team, resigned and currently works for the Chicago Fire.
Two other men, Josh Bullock and Rob Gehring, exited the organization between November 2024 and April 2025, around the same time Menzin resigned. Bullock, the team’s vice president of business operations, was accused of harassing both male and female coworkers. Bullock also reportedly made inappropriate comments in front of several women while at a bar with colleagues. He was fired in March.
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Gehring, the director of video content production, reportedly met with HR over multiple complaints alleging that he referred to female coworkers as “honey” or other pet names and touched them unnecessarily. He was fired a week after HR launched an investigation into his conduct.
Two other employees, Peter Soto and Ben Fidelman, were accused of making inappropriate comments to and about female employees. Both Soto and Fidelman were reportedly involved in HR investigations but remain with the team. Fidelman was reportedly promoted to vice president a week after an HR investigation concluded after a female employee accused him of retaliation and gender discrimination.
Two former Tigers players who served as analysts on team broadcasts — Cameron Maybin and Craig Monroe — did not have their contracts renewed after allegations arose alleging misconduct. Maybin was accused of making inappropriate comments toward female employees and engaging in two inappropriate late-night phone calls with female employees. In 2024, Monroe was accused of sexual abuse of a minor. He was taken off team broadcasts, and his contract was not renewed. The Athletic contacted the Frisco Police Department about Monroe’s case and was told it is now inactive.
The allegations and organizational exits come to light with the Tigers in the midst of a strong season on the field. The team enters play Wednesday with 83 wins, tied for the most in the American League.