Detroit Lions president and CEO Rod Wood has announced his retirement from the organization after more than a decade in leadership. The decision, made public on Wednesday, marks the end of an era for Wood, who joined the Lions in 2015 following a long career in finance, including significant roles at Ford Estates and the Ford family office.
In a statement released on the team’s website, Wood expressed gratitude to the Ford family and Lions fans, saying, “I want to thank the Ford Family and ultimately Lions fans everywhere for trusting me to lead the Detroit Lions for the last 11 seasons. It has been an absolute thrill for me to lead this organization, and I am proud of what we have accomplished over that decade-plus.”
During his tenure, Wood played a critical role in enhancing the Lions’ presence in the community, collaborating with the City of Detroit and local business leaders to bring premier events to the area. His commitment to the organization and the city has been acknowledged by many.
Sheila Hamp, Principal Owner and Chair of the Detroit Lions, stated, “The entire Ford family would like to thank Rod for his dedication and commitment to the Detroit Lions and the city of Detroit. Rod has been a trusted advisor and passionate leader for our organization and the entire NFL during that time and has prepared our organization for a promising future.”
Despite his contributions, Wood faced challenges, particularly regarding ticket pricing. The Lions made the decision to significantly increase ticket prices in recent years, which drew criticism from fans. In defense of this decision, Wood noted, “I think if people went back and looked at what they could have paid for, for those seats on the secondary market, and what our playoff games were going for, it’s really where the market is.” He highlighted a 96 percent renewal rate for season tickets and mentioned a waitlist of approximately 20,000 people, emphasizing the organization’s ongoing demand.
As he prepares to step down, Wood plans to spend more time with his family, including his grandchildren. He will remain with the Lions during the transition period as the search for his successor begins immediately.
The Lions have engaged Russell Reynolds Associates to assist in finding a new leader to guide the team moving forward. Wood’s departure marks a significant change for the organization as it looks to build on the foundation he has helped establish over the past eleven years.
