Martha Firestone Ford has been in charge of the Lions since the spring of '14LIONS
Martha Firestone Ford is resigning as Lions Principal Owner & Chair after six years, making way for her daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, to take over. Ford Hamp, who had already internally been identified as her mom's successor, had been a Vice Chair before today; her mother becomes Chair Emeritus. Firestone Ford, 94, has been in charge of the team since March '14, when her husband, William Clay Ford Sr., died after nearly 51 years as the principal owner. “It has been a great honor for our family to be associated with the Lions and with the National Football League,” Firestone Ford said in a prepared statement. “I am gratified that this family tradition, which my husband and I began almost six decades ago, will continue under Sheila’s guiding hand. It’s clear to me that Sheila will provide superb leadership and is fully committed to competitive excellence and community involvement.” Under Firestone Ford’s control, the Lions went 45-50-1 in the regular season, with three winning seasons out of six, and two playoff losses. They did not win the NFC North in that time.
PREPARING FOR THIS DAY: Ford Hamp, 68, had already begun stepping into the NFL scene before today's announcement. She has regularly accompanied her mother to league meetings, often being seen carrying the large binders of reading material into the room. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in August '19 appointed her to the league’s Fan Engagement & Major Events committee. She appeared in December with her mother and Lions President Rod Wood to tell reporters of their intention to retain coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn. Her appointment to the committee was taken as a possible sign of her future ascension, according to Detroit media, but succession plans had not been made public before today. “My mother has inspired all of us since taking on leadership of the Lions over six years ago,” Ford Hamp said. “She has been a tireless leader to our family, our team and our community. Her smart decisions have given me a solid foundation to take the team forward. On behalf of the family and the team, I want to thank her for her countless contributions. I look forward to leading the Lions to excellence on and off the field.”
GOODELL PRAISES TRANSITION: In a statement from the NFL, Goodell praised the smooth transition, which appears to put to rest the occasional speculation that the Ford family might sell the team. “Martha Ford has led the Lions with skill and grace for the past six seasons,” he said. “I have appreciated her business insights, her love of the game, her deep commitment to the NFL, and her personal kindness. We are pleased that the Ford family will continue to own and operate this historic franchise. Sheila Hamp has become increasingly involved in team and league affairs over the past several years and we look forward to working with her and the rest of the club's executive team.” Marc Ganis, a consultant to many NFL teams and the league office, said Ford Hamp is "a chip off the block,” and will probably follow her mother's example in her dealings with other owners and the league. "Like her mother, she'll have the strength of her own convictions," Ganis said. "She'll learn and think before acting, but when she does, she's decisive."
WHAT IS BEING WRITTEN IN DETROIT: The Detroit News' Justin Rogers notes Ford Hamp's role within the organization "rapidly expanded" after her father died. She held the same Vice Chair title as her three siblings. But she was the one "most involved with the day-to-day operations of the Lions." Ford Hamp attended every road game and all league meetings. Ford Hamp taking over "ensures the franchise will continue to be run by the family." The Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett notes Ford Hamp has been a "sounding board at a minimum, and perhaps even a driving force at times, behind key organization decisions" in recent years. That includes the midseason firing of Tom Lewand and Martin Mayhew in '15, the hiring of Rod Wood as president and Bob Quinn as GM, and retaining Quinn and coach Matt Patricia last year.
