Martha Ford announced Tuesday she is stepping down as the owner of the Detroit Lions and her daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, will take over as principal owner and chairman. The move was announced in a statement released by the Lions on Tuesday.
“It has been a great honor for our family to be associated with the Lions and with the National Football League,” Ford said in a statement. “I am gratified that this family tradition, which my husband and I began almost six decades ago, will continue under Sheila’s guiding hand. It is clear to me that Sheila will provide superb leadership and is fully committed to competitive excellence and community involvement.”
“My mother has inspired all of us since taking on leadership of the Lions over six years ago,” Hamp said in a statement. “She has been a tireless leader to our family, our team and our community. Her smart decisions have given me a solid foundation to take the team forward. On behalf of the family and the team, I want to thank her for her countless contributions. I look forward to leading the Lions to excellence on and off the field.”
