Ryan Gustafson

Accomplished sports and entertainment executive Ryan Gustafson is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. He was named to the post in March 2023 after previously serving as the Senior Vice President of Business Operations Strategy at IS+E.

In his role, Gustafson serves as the head of business operations for the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. He oversees IS+E's revenue-generating departments, including ticket sales & service and corporate partnership sales and activation. In addition, Gustafson manages the organization's marketing, communications, operations, finance and human resources functions.

Gustafson reports directly to Ilitch Companies CEO Christopher Ilitch, working together to enhance the fan, guest, partner and colleague experience across Ilitch-managed properties and venues.

IS+E is the sales and marketing arm of the Red Wings and Tigers, and maintains a joint venture interest in 313 Presents, Detroit's premier live entertainment company. It also operates Little Caesars Arena, home of the Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and world-class entertainment; Comerica Park, home to the Tigers; and the iconic Fox Theatre, one of the most iconic theaters and music venues in the world. IS+E provides venue operations services at Pine Knob Music Theatre, Meadow Brook Amphitheatre and Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill.

Gustafson brings more than 15 years of strategic planning and revenue generation experience to IS+E. Before joining the organization, he served as strategy consultant at Elevate Sports Ventures and Pegula Sports & Entertainment. Gustafson previously held the position of Team President at the Seattle Dragons (XFL), where he led all business operations.

Gustafson also served a three-year stint as Vice President of Strategy & Development at the Seattle Sounders (MLS), where he oversaw all revenue-generating areas for the Club. He was the Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at the San Diego Padres from 2013-16.

Gustafson earned his undergraduate degree in economics at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where he was a student-athlete and captain of the Loggers baseball team. He went on to earn his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Harvard Business School. During his graduate program, Gustafson was the President of Harvard's Business of Sports Club.