Martha Ford - Pro Football Rumors

Lions Ownership Has No Plans To Sell Team

December 19th, 2019 at 11:09am CST by Rory Parks

There has been some speculation that the Ford family would be selling the Lions in the near future, speculation that was largely fueled by long-time Detroit sportscaster Eli Zaret, who said on a recent podcast that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos would buy the team in 2020.

But per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, that is not the case. Team president Rod Wood said there has indeed been outside interest in purchasing the Lions, but Wood said there have been no serious discussions in that regard. Controlling owner Martha Ford is 94, and while she remains just as involved and visible as any other controlling owner — as Birkett writes, she is an active participant in league meetings and regularly meets with head coach Matt Patricia to discuss the franchise — the team obviously needs a succession plan.

And while neither Wood, Ford, nor Ford’s daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, have disclosed the details of that succession plan, Wood has consistently maintained that the team will remain in the Ford family, just as it has been for the past 60 years. The franchise has not experienced a great deal of success in that time, and fans have been plenty vocal about their desire to have the Fords sell the team, but that does not appear likely to happen anytime soon.

It seems that Ford Hamp may take over as controlling owner when Ford is no longer able to serve in that capacity. As Birkett notes, Ford Hamp has taken a bigger role in running the franchise in recent seasons. She is one of the four vice chairs of the Lions, and she began serving on the NFL’s Super Bowl and Major Events Committee this spring.

Recently, Ford indicated that Patricia and GM Bob Quinn would be back with the team next season.

Lions President: Team Not For Sale

February 21st, 2016 at 3:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Lions owner Martha Ford is now 90 years old, and though the club hasn’t been forthcoming with its plans for a potential ownership transition, the Fords has no interest in selling the team, as team president Rod Wood told 105.1 WMGC on Thursday.

“I’m very involved in the plans to succeed Mrs. Ford within the family and the ownership, and beyond that I’d rather leave all that to those who are in the room as opposed to talk about it outside the room,” said Wood, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “But I can assure the fans and the community that the Ford family’s committed to owning the Lions long term.”

The Fords have been the sole owners of the Lions franchise since Martha’s husband, William Clay Ford, bought the club in 1963 — when William passed away in 2014, Martha became the controlling partner. Per Birkett, Ford’s daughter Sheila Ford Hamp has taken on a more substantive role in the organization since William’s death, so it’s possible that she is (privately) next in line to lead the team.

The NFL expressed concern earlier this year that the Titans did not have a clear succession plan in place following the passing of Bud Adams, so it’s fair to wonder if the league will have similar worries about the Lions. But for the time being, Martha Ford’s actions in Detroit have been praised by other owners, as Colts owner Jim Irsay said Ford is “very engaged and alert” in NFL business.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC Notes: Beckham, Brees, Tomsula, Lions

December 23rd, 2015 at 12:51pm CST by Luke Adams

The appeal hearing for Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. ended at about 12:25 CT this afternoon, and a decision will likely come at some point today, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. As we wait for that announcement, let’s round up some news and rumors from across the NFC…

While there’s little question that the Saints will have to address Drew Brees’ contract in the offseason to reduce his cap hit if they want to keep him, there’s another issue in play, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). If head coach Sean Payton were to listen on other head coaching opportunities around the NFL and ultimately decided to leave New Orleans, it’s not clear whether or not Brees would still want to stick with the team for the rest of his career.
From the Saints‘ perspective, there’s no question that the club should want Brees to return for the 2016 season, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
In a separate Bleacher Report video, Cole echoes what CBS sideline reporter Jay Feely said on Sunday, suggesting that 49ers management would like to see head coach Jim Tomsula return for the 2016 season. However, Cole adds that a final decision has not yet been made.
After signing a one-year contract with the Lions, defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker saw his 2015 season derailed in Week 4 by a broken fibula and dislocated ankle. However, he tells Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News that he’s not thinking about re-entering free agency again yet, focusing instead on making sure he’s fully healthy first. “I’ve got to rehab, man,” Walker said. “I’ve got to get right.”
Sharon Terlep of The Wall Street Journal examines the ascension of Martha Ford, who – at age 90 – has taken over a larger role in Lions ownership, representing the team in place of Bill Ford.