The Metro: Can conditions improve for Detroit arena workers?
The Detroit Industry Standard Boards for sports arenas have been meeting to discuss challenges people working at Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park and Ford Field are facing. The Metro speaks with the Detroit Documenters to learn more.
Ford Field during a Detroit Lions home game on Nov. 19, 2023.
Detroit’s arenas are packed with fans and money on game day. But the workers who make it all run say the pay often doesn’t match the hustle.
The Detroit Industry Standard Boards for sports arenas have been meeting to discuss challenges people working at Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park and Ford Field are facing.
They are nearing the end of the process and will submit recommendations to improve working conditions at professional sporting events and concerts in Detroit.
The process also shows the different needs of workers and employers.
A letter from Ilitch Sports and Entertainment said compensation is not the primary motivation of workers. The company manages Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena, and is the owner of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers.
Professor Kess Ballentine, who conducted two surveys of Detroit arena workers, said many work multiple jobs. But Michigan’s preemption laws make it illegal for any city to raise the minimum wage, along with changing other working standards.
Producer Jack Filbrandt spoke with Detroit Documenters Ashley Williams and Noah Kincade to learn more.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or NPR or wherever you get your podcasts.
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.Donate today »
