In a press release on their website, the Detroit Lions have named their new team President. The new president is Tom Wood the now former CEO of Ford Estates. Before that he spent time as the Executive Vice President of Wilmington Trust Company.
Wood is 55-years old and is from Michigan. He graduated from Goodrich High School in Goodrich and earned his bachelors degree from the University of Michigan.
In the statement issued by a the Detroit Lions, here is a bit from Mr. Wood:
“I am humbled and honored to accept this position. 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. 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.”
Rod Wood will occupy the same role as departed team President Tom Lewand. He will directly report to owner Martha Ford.
In the same statement, owner Martha Ford announced the formation the Advisory Board for the General Manager search. Rod Wood will head that committee as team president.
Honestly, this hire screams of “Same Old Lions”. While they literally didn’t promote the next man up, the didn’t even leave the Ford family of companies to find their next President.
Rod Wood doesn’t have a lick of sports experience, let alone football experience. When a pure “businessman” is brought in to run a sports franchise or athletic department it never goes well for the fans.
The focus will be on profit and not on winning. I hope I’m wrong, but the track record with hires of this nature all across sports suggest I won’t be.
