Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford has hired a new team president, and it’s someone without a football background but with longstanding ties to the Ford family.
Rod Wood, who has worked for the Fords for years, is the new president of the Lions.
“I am most pleased to announce Rod Wood as our new Team President,” Ford said in a statement. “Rod’s familiarity with our organization in his role as President and CEO of Ford Estates and his accomplishments in the business world not only make him an ideal choice as Team President, but will also help ensure a smooth and positive transition for our organization. It was critical to me and my family to fill the President’s position as soon as possible, provided we identified the right person. I am confident Rod is the right person. I also believe Rod’s appointment now gives us the ability to move more decisively with respect to our search for a general manager.”
That G.M. will be hired by Wood, along with Ford and her four children.
“Mrs. Ford has made it clear that her goal, and the goal of the Ford Family, is to make the Detroit Lions a championship football team and organization,” Wood said in a statement. “In my role as team President, I will do everything possible to provide our organization with all the means necessary to succeed on the football field and provide our fans and city with a championship organization both on and off the field.”
The 2-7 Lions aren’t going anywhere this year, but the G.M. Wood hires will have major decisions next year, including whether to retain coach Jim Caldwell, what to do with the expensive contracts of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, and what to do with what will likely be a high first-round draft pick. The future of the franchise will be shaped by Wood’s decision on the G.M. front.
Photo via Detroit Lions.