The Detroit Tigers organization is engulfed in turmoil after a growing investigation revealed widespread allegations of misconduct toward women by multiple senior staffers.
According to a report by The Athletic, in which sources called the Tigers organization a “boys club,” at least eight men employed by the team–including four vice presidents and two other high-ranking employees–have been accused of misconduct toward female colleagues since 2023.
“The dysfunction is woven into the culture. It feels like a bunch of guys who can do whatever they want,” said a current male employee, according to the Athletic’s September 10 report. “It’s not a place women can feel safe.”
These allegations raise troubling questions about the culture within the Tigers’ offices.
While the identities of all those accused have not been publicly disclosed, the report does mention former Tigers players and broadcasters Cameron Maybin and Craig Monroe.
Detroit Tigers Investigations & Fallout
According to The Detroit Free Press, “The most serious allegations involve Michael Lienert, a former vice president of premium sales and private events with Ilitch Sports and Entertainment … Lienert got into a heated exchange with one of the women in early 2023 and allegedly pushed her down a flight of stairs.”
The Tigers also addressed a separate complaint involving Ben Fidelman, the vice president for communications and broadcasting with Ilitch Sports & Entertainment. Fidelman was accused of “yelling at and degrading female employees,” though the team strongly pushed back on how the matter was characterized.
“It is inaccurate and unfair to group Mr. Fidelman within a story about accusations of sexual harassment or related misconduct,” Olympia Entertainment, an affiliate of Ilitch Sports and Entertainment, said. “A concern unrelated to either was raised, and consistent with our process, it was investigated thoroughly, and no wrongdoing was found.”
By publicly distinguishing Fidelman’s case from more serious allegations, the Tigers signaled a desire to avoid blanket condemnation of all named executives.
According to the report, six of the accused men have “either resigned, were fired or did not have their contracts renewed.”
Past Misconduct & Institutional Failure
This scandal is not wholly unprecedented for the organization. In April 2025, then-Assistant General Manager Sam Menzin resigned amid allegations that he had sent unsolicited explicit photos of himself to female staff members via Snapchat, dating back as early as 2017.
Menzin’s abrupt exit followed a club investigation, though he stepped down before being formally dismissed. The Tigers released a statement affirming, “This type of behavior is contrary to our standards and has absolutely no place within our organization.”
For those women brave enough to come forward, the decision-making process was shadowed by reluctance and fear. One alleged victim noted the imbalance of power, saying, “Who is going to believe them when they say Sam Menzin did this? … It always felt like saying something wasn’t an option.” That testimony underscores a pattern of silencing, particularly when allegations are leveled against highly placed executives.
According to The Athletic, “he [Menzin] was suspended, resigned and is now a vice president with MLS’s Chicago Fire.”
Defending Workplace Culture
Potential inquiries from both league authorities and third-party firms may be imminent. The Tigers must determine whether these are isolated incidents or reflective of systemic problems in leadership or HR policy enforcement.
“We are committed to a culture of respect, safety, and inclusion,” Olympia Entertainment said. “We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment, and when concerns are raised, we investigate promptly and take decisive action, which has included terminating employees for misconduct, regardless of seniority or tenure. We are committed to accountability and to upholding the standards essential to our workplace.”
One key challenge will be reinstilling confidence in internal reporting mechanisms. Staffers may no longer trust that the organization will act promptly or fairly. Rebuilding that trust likely requires transparent policy revisions, stronger oversight, and possibly third-party audits of workplace culture.
“Our colleagues have multiple channels to share input, supported by a strong HR team that responds quickly to concerns,” Olympia Entertainment continued. “We also provide ongoing, company-wide training and education to prevent and address inappropriate behavior. …
“We are grateful to the employees who have spoken up here, and to the more than 3,000 full- and part-time colleagues who contribute every day to ensuring a safe work environment.”
Strong on Field, Stormy Off
The Tigers sit atop the AL Central with an 83-62 record, leading the division by a comfortable margin.
Their chances of making the postseason are extremely high–approximately 99.7%, according to Baseball-Reference. On Tuesday night, the Tigers obliterated the Yankees 12-2, highlighted by a nine-run seventh inning and strong starting pitching from Casey Mize, now 14-5 on the season.
But as the regular season winds down, the front office must reconcile on-field excellence with off-field chaos. Savvy fans and league insiders alike will be watching to see whether the Tigers’ leadership can keep pace with their players’ achievements, or if the scandal will overshadow every clutch hit and dominant inning.
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