Martha Ford, owner of the Detroit Lions announced Tuesday she will be stepping down as owner and will be succeeded by her daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp.
What We Know:
- Ford took over after William Clay Ford Sr. died in 2014. Hamp was appointed to the NFL’s Super Bowl and Major Events advisory committee last year. She has been groomed and trained to take over her mother’s position as owner.
Martha Firestone Ford to step down as principal owner of Detroit Lions
Sheila Ford Hamp to succeed mother as team’s principal owner and chairman pic.twitter.com/HU0FehT0WO
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 23, 2020
- Ford says, “It has been a great honor for our family to be associated with the Lions and with the National Football League. 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 is clear to me that Sheila will provide superb leadership and is fully committed to competitive excellence and community involvement.”
- Ford Sr. bought the Detroit Lions in 1963 and when he died in 2014, Ford took over. Having her daughter become the new owner ensures that the family can still continue to drive the Detroit’s club into the future. Hamp says, “My mother has inspired all of us since taking on leadership of the Lions over six years ago. 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.”
In December 2019, Ford and Hamp issued a statement indicating there would be some changes coming down the line after telling coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn they needed to “win-or-else” in 2020.
