Rod Wood, Team President and CEO of the Detroit Lions, announced on Feb. 18 that he will retire before the start of the 2026 National Football League season. Wood will continue in his role until a successor is named through a global search led by Russell Reynolds Associates.
Wood’s retirement marks the end of an 11-year tenure leading the organization. The transition comes at a time when the team is preparing for future leadership while maintaining its presence in Detroit’s sports landscape. Ford Field, where the Lions play their home games, was developed with a $500 million investment from both public and private sources, according to the official site.
“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,” said Wood. “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. I am most proud of where I am leaving this organization, in the capable hands of Sheila Hamp, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell.”
Wood joined the franchise in 2015 after three decades in finance and wealth management, including ten years heading Ford Estates. During his time with the team, he worked closely with local government and business leaders on projects aimed at making Detroit a key destination for sports and entertainment events. Ford Field hosts nearly 1.5 million attendees annually for various events, contributing to community engagement in Detroit, according to the official website.
Sheila Hamp, Principal Owner and Chair of the Detroit Lions, said: “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. While Rod will be missed, we are excited to work with Russell Reynolds Associates to find the next dynamic leader of our business.”
Ford Field features optimal sight lines for football games as reported by the official website. The stadium includes about 1.85 million square feet with seating capacity for 65,000 people; it also features a seven-story atrium integrated with a historic warehouse from the 1920s according to information from their official website.
Funding for Ford Field came from both public sources such as the City of Detroit and private entities including Ford Motor Company as stated by their official site.
The search process for Wood’s successor begins immediately.
