who was assistant general manager of the Tigers. He resigned in April 2025 after investigators found that over several years he had sent unsolicited explicit or lewd photos to multiple women who worked for the team, and also to at least one woman elsewhere in Major League Baseball. These photos were sent via Snapchat, and some dated back to as far as 2017. (SI) The Tigers had been preparing to terminate him, but he resigned before that could happen. (SI)Michael Lienert, former sales vice president. In 2023 he allegedly pushed a female co-worker (with whom he had an undisclosed relationship) down a flight of stairs. He resigned following those allegations. (ESPN.com)Ben Fidelman, Director of Communications and Broadcasting. He was investigated by human resources in the spring of 2025 after a female employee alleged he subjected her to retaliation and gender discrimination. (ESPN.com) The organization responded by saying it was “inaccurate and unfair to group Mr. Fidelman within a story about accusations of sexual harassment or related misconduct”, and that a concern unrelated to sexual harassment had been raised. The investigation reportedly found no wrongdoing. (LMT Online)Another VP, whose identity isn’t always given in public reports, was accused of using offensive remarks. Among the eight men, four are vice presidents. The allegations are not all identical in nature; some are verbal harassment, others cross into physical wrongdoing
Beyond those named above, the full set of allegations spans a range of misconduct:
Verbal harassment and offensive comments — remarks of a sexist nature, or comments that created discomfort or fear among women staffers.)Physical confrontations — pushing (as in the Lienert case), or threats of physical contact.Unsolicited explicit communications — as in the case of Menzin sending lewd photos unsolicited. (SI)Retaliation and discrimination claims, especially gender discrimination. Some women said that after complaining or in the course of their work they were retaliated against.
Of the eight men accused:
Six have either been fired, had their contracts not renewed, or resignedOne was suspended after the report came out.Some of the women alleged the culture made it difficult for them to report misconduct, or that speaking up carried risk to their job or professional relationships
Beyond the individual cases, the report describes a broader workplace culture within Ilitch Sports & Entertainment (which owns the Tigers and other sports properties) that many employees—especially women—found hostile or unsafe. Key themes that have come up in the reporting:
A sense among women employees that they were not believed or that speaking up would be risky for their careers. There was a perception that male executives could act with impunity.A prevailing male‑dominated environment, which some said carried norms or behaviors that tolerated or normalized demeaning comments or practicesIn some cases, lack of clarity or enforcement of policies around harassment, discrimination, and appropriate behaviour, making it difficult for employees to know how to safely report concernsup released statements to emphasize commitment to a workplace of respect, safety, and inclusion. Some specific points from their response and actions include:
The organization says it does not tolerate discrimination or harassment, and that when concerns are raised, it investigates them “promptly and take(s) decisive action, which has included terminating employees for misconduct, regardless of seniority or tenure.” (ESPN.com)In the case of Sam Menzin, the organization conducted an investigation, and while they were preparing to terminate his contract, he resigned. (SI)In the case of Ben Fidelman, the claim of wrongdoing was investigated, but the organization says they found no wrongdoing.
These revelations raise a number of questions beyond the individual cases:
Accountability and culture change: Whether the changes already made are sufficient to shift long‑standing cultural norms. The recurrence of allegations suggests systemic issues rather than purely isolated misconduct.Policy and enforcement: How robust the policies are regarding harassment, discrimination, retaliation; how visible and trusted the reporting mechanisms are; whether there are independent oversight or third‑party procedures to ensure fairness.Support and safety for employees: Ensuring that women who raise concerns are protected (from retaliation, from harm to their careers) and that they believe they will be taken seriously.Transparency: How much information is made public about investigations, findings, and actions taken, especially in terms of outcomes and whether those accused are able to respond.Broader practices across sport: This is not unique to the Tigers; it reflects issues in many organizations where power differences, male‑dominated leadership, and weak accountability allow misconduct toward women to persist.
In summary, the The Athletic investigation paints a troubling picture of multiple serious accusations against high‑level officials within the Detroit Tigers’ orbit. Some have left or been removed, but many affected employees feel the organization still has a long way to go to ensure safety, equity, and accountability. If you like, I can pull up a list of all eight names with full allegation summaries, or compare how this situation stacks up with other MLB teams.
