NFL Owners News, Part III: Bill Ford Jr. Discusses Family, Lions
 |
Ford Says Passion For Lions
Not Based On Finances |
Lions Vice Chair Bill Ford Jr., who "has not attended the NFL's annual meetings in recent years because of his duties in the Ford Motor Co.," said that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asked him to "assist the league in its negotiations with the [NFLPA] because of his experience" with Ford, according to Mike O'Hara of the DETROIT NEWS. While in Palm Beach for the meetings, Ford, who has not done "in-depth interviews about the Lions in recent years," addressed a range of topics with several members of the Detroit media. Ford said that his family's passion for the Lions is "not based on finances, and the perception his father [Lions Owner William Clay Ford] is interested in making a profit, as opposed to winning, is wrong." Ford: "All Dad does care about is football and the game on Sunday. The rest of the business doesn't interest him that much. ... The money part, that's crazy. Obviously, the money has never been a consideration for him -- either the spending it or making it." Ford said that his father's "reticence to speak publicly about the team is misinterpreted by those who think he lacks passion." Ford: "My dad is a very, very private man. That's just the way he is. He cares deeply, but he's not comfortable and doesn't enjoy being out front." While the Lions have sold out every home game since moving to Ford Field in '02, Ford said that the team's losing record and the economy "could make ticket sales and corporate sponsorships more difficult" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/2). Ford added that he likely would not take on a larger role within the organization. Ford: "My first obligation is to Ford, and that's still the case. ... I love the team. I'm a huge fan and always will be. But I don't know at this point what I could really contribute at the team level" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/2).
RAVENS: In a Q&A with the Baltimore SUN's Jamison Hensley, Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti discussed the decision to fire coach Brian Billick after the season. Asked why he changed his mind after giving Billick a vote of confidence, Bisciotti said, "The bottom line is that I think there was a deterioration in the confidence in him and his coaching staff. I think the morale in the building was down." Bisciotti, on the players' involvement in the decision: "There were a lot of examples that my executive partners brought to me about the players' unhappiness. Again, that's evidenced in the locker room, in the weight room, on the bus and the planes and on the sideline. I'm not in any of those places" (Baltimore SUN, 4/2).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Randy Lerner Opens Up About Browns
November 5, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Detroit Teams Seek To Lure Fans
November 3, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Detroit Teams Selling Tix In Tough Times
September 1, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Lions Invite Fans To 18 Camp Sessions
July 24, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Lions Owner Discusses Millen, 0-16 Season
June 25, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
John Riggins Bashes Dan Snyder
November 6, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
WAC Hires PR Firm To Help Boise State
November 5, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Randy Lerner Opens Up About Browns
November 5, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Touchdown Jacksonville Revived To Aid Jags
November 5, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Browns Refuse To Publicly Discuss Kokinis
November 4, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
