DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers organization is facing renewed scrutiny following reports that a longtime employee was forced to resign after raising concerns about the behavior of a vendor executive. The situation, first reported by The Athletic on Tuesday, adds another layer to a controversy that surfaced last fall when allegations of misconduct against eight individuals connected to the team and its broadcast partners came to light.
The latest developments center on Matt Coy, currently the vice president of experience for Cuento, a San Diego-based marketing agency contracted by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (IS+E), the parent company of the Tigers and the Detroit Red Wings. According to The Athletic’s reporting, a Tigers employee sent a roughly 2,000-word email on February 9th to a supervisor detailing concerns about Coy’s leadership and its impact on morale within the organization.
The email, as described by The Athletic, alleged that Coy was “eroding morale, creating conflicts and making some employees feel uncomfortable.” Days after sending the email, the employee was informed during a call with a supervisor and a human resources representative that it had been interpreted as a resignation, the report states. The employee’s name has not been publicly released.
Concerns Preceded the Resignation
This incident isn’t occurring in a vacuum. Last September, allegations of harassment toward women surfaced involving multiple individuals affiliated with the Tigers. As previously reported, the allegations involved individuals employed by the Tigers, the team’s broadcast partners and IS+E. The team subsequently parted ways with six of the eight individuals identified in connection with the allegations.
The recent report in The Athletic suggests that concerns about Coy’s behavior were raised internally prior to the February email. A meeting held on September 29th, involving IS+E employees and focused on integrating Cuento into the Tigers’ operations, reportedly included an airing of grievances regarding Cuento and Coy specifically, according to three individuals who spoke with The Athletic.
Connections Between IS+E, Cuento, and Coy
The relationship between Ryan Gustafson, president and CEO of IS+E, Cuento, and Coy extends back several years. Cuento began consulting with the Tigers in 2022, Gustafson’s first year with the organization. Notably, Gustafson previously worked with Cuento’s co-founders, Wayne Partello and Katie Jackson, during his tenure with the San Diego Padres from 2013 to 2016. Coy served as senior director of content and presentation for the Padres during a portion of that time, from 2015 to 2017.
IS+E utilizes Cuento for a range of services, including game presentation, marketing, and video production. The company pays Cuento for these services, and Coy, as vice president of experience, oversees much of that perform.
Statements from IS+E and Cuento
In a statement provided to the Free Press, the Tigers stated, “IS+E is committed to maintaining a professional, respectful work environment.” The statement continued, echoing a response given to The Athletic, that upon learning of a concern involving a Cuento employee, the organization “immediately investigated the matter and promptly notified the vendor.”
Wayne Partello, co-founder of Cuento, told the Free Press that the firm takes “all employee and client concerns seriously and remain committed to providing a professional environment for everyone who works with our teams.” He added that the company cooperated with IS+E and initiated its own investigation after being informed of the concerns, but that investigation “did not substantiate claims of inappropriate behavior.”
Allegations Against Coy
The Athletic’s report details specific allegations against Coy, including claims of “unwanted physical contact with female employees by placing his hands on their shoulders” and “screaming in a woman’s face.” These allegations, if substantiated, would represent a serious breach of professional conduct.
The employee who resigned reportedly wrote in his email that he did not wish to depart the Tigers but felt compelled to do so due to the “toxic culture” and Coy’s behavior. He stated that raising these concerns was his “duty as a leader.”
Following the February email, IS+E employees were reportedly informed in a March meeting that Coy would start working remotely, according to The Athletic.
Looking Ahead
The situation raises questions about the thoroughness of IS+E’s initial investigation into the previous allegations of misconduct and the extent to which transparency and accountability are being prioritized. The team has not announced any further investigations related to the recent allegations against Coy. The next scheduled public appearance by Ryan Gustafson is at a community event on April 5th, where he is expected to address general organizational updates. Further details regarding any internal review or potential action related to this matter are anticipated in the coming weeks.
This is a developing story. We encourage readers to share their thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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