Former Lions CEO Tom Lewand, a long-time executive who avoided accountability for the chronic failures of the franchise because he wasn’t part of the football operation, has found a new job completely outside of the football industry.
Via JC Reindt and Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Lewand will become the CEO of Shinola, a Detroit-based retail outlet for watches and luxury goods. The Lions fired Lewand in November.
Lewand supposedly had other opportunities within the NFL, but he opted to get out of the football business in order to remain in Michigan.
“Look, I had opportunities to talk to a lot of different people and consider a lot of different opportunities, but this is the one that was the most exciting for me,” Lewand said. “I’m a lifelong Detroiter and there’s just, as you know, some great things happening in our city. I think Shinola is at the front of the list of those great things, and to have an opportunity to be a part of that team was very unique and is really an honor.”
Some would say that Lewand is perfectly suited for the job because he can immediately discern the major differences between his former employer and his new one.
