On November 22, 1963, William Clay Ford agreed to buy the Detroit Lions for about $4.5 million. More than six decades later, the Ford family still owns the team, and his daughter Sheila Ford Hamp runs it as principal owner and chair.
The Lions have changed principal owners only twice inside the family since then. The franchise is now worth about $8 billion, according to Forbes.
Who is the principal owner of the Detroit Lions?
Sheila Ford Hamp is the principal owner and chair of the Detroit Lions. She took over from her mother, Martha Firestone Ford, in June 2020 under a succession plan the team had set in advance, according to the Lions’ announcement.
Hamp, born October 31, 1951, had served as a vice chair from 2014 to 2019. Her tenure has covered the team’s best seasons in decades, including a trip to the NFC Championship Game after the 2023 season and a 15-2 record in 2024.
How did the Ford family buy the Detroit Lions?
William Clay Ford, a grandson of Henry Ford, reached the agreement in November 1963. He formally took control in January 1964 and owned the team until his death on March 9, 2014.
His widow, Martha Firestone Ford, then led the Lions as owner and chair from 2014 through the 2019 season. She is the granddaughter of tire maker Harvey Firestone.
In 2020, she stepped aside and Sheila took the top role. Martha remains with the club as owner and chair emeritus.
Which Ford family members own a stake in the Lions?
The Lions are a family business. All four children of William Clay Ford and Martha Firestone Ford hold ownership titles with the team, according to the Lions.
William Clay Ford Jr. is also executive chair of Ford Motor Company. That link is family, not corporate. Ford Motor Company does not own the Lions. Its tie to the team is the naming rights to Ford Field.
How much are the Detroit Lions worth in 2026?
Forbes valued the Lions at $8.04 billion in its September 2026 ranking of NFL teams. That marked a 49% rise from $5.4 billion a year earlier.
Forbes estimated the Lions’ 2025 revenue at $617 million and operating income at $53 million, according to the Forbes 2026 list. The team still ranked 30th of 32 by value.
Sportico’s August 2026 estimate was close, at $8.02 billion, as reported by CBS Sports. By either measure, the family’s 1963 purchase price has grown by a factor of more than 1,700.
Who runs the Lions’ football and business operations?
Hamp sets direction with the board, but day-to-day leadership sits with hired executives. Rod Wood served as president and CEO for 11 seasons before announcing his retirement in February 2026.
On August 5, 2026, the team named Richard Haddad as the next president and CEO. Haddad spent 14 years with the Detroit Pistons, most recently as chief operating officer. He joined the Lions in September with oversight of both football and business operations, according to the team.
On the football side, general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have led the roster since 2021.
Are the Ford family selling the Detroit Lions?
In March 2026, Rod Wood told the Detroit Free Press there was “no immediate desire or need” to sell any part of the team, as reported by NBC Sports.
Wood said private equity firms contact the club on a regular basis. NFL rules allow approved funds to buy up to 10% of a team, and several clubs have sold such stakes.
He added that Martha Firestone Ford, now over 100 years old, still holds a large stake. Wood said ownership questions would likely be revisited after her passing.
FAQ
Does Ford Motor Company own the Detroit Lions?
No. The Ford family owns the Lions privately. Ford Motor Company is a separate public company, though family member William Clay Ford Jr. is its executive chair and a Lions vice chair.
How long has the Ford family owned the Lions?
Since 1963. William Clay Ford agreed to buy the team on November 22, 1963, for about $4.5 million and took formal control in January 1964.
Who owned the Detroit Lions before Sheila Ford Hamp?
Her mother, Martha Firestone Ford, led the team from 2014 to 2020. Before that, her father, William Clay Ford, owned the Lions from 1964 until his death in 2014.
What is the Detroit Lions’ net worth?
Forbes valued the team at $8.04 billion in September 2026, up 49% from $5.4 billion a year earlier. The Lions ranked 30th among the 32 NFL teams.
Who is the Detroit Lions president?
Richard Haddad, a former Detroit Pistons chief operating officer, became president and CEO in September 2026. He replaced Rod Wood, who retired after 11 seasons.