Rod Wood
Born
Rod Wood

1957 or 1958 (age 65–66)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Michigan-Flint; ABA Graduate School of Commercial Banking
OccupationBusinessman
Known forPresident of the Detroit Lions

Rod Wood is an American businessman and football executive. He is currently the president for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).[1][2]

Professional career

Previous to being hired as the president of the Detroit Lions, Wood was a close associate of the Ford family that owns the team, and worked as the president and CEO of the Ford Estates.[3]

Detroit Lions

Wood was signed with the Detroit Lions as a team president on Nov 19, 2015.[4] Wood attended University of Michigan-Flint and the ABA Graduate School of Commercial Banking. On accepting the appointment, Wood stated that he was "not qualified to run any other NFL team", a statement that led some critics of his hiring to label him as unqualified for the job of running the Lions.[5][6] Wood has refused to give up the Detroit Lions's traditional Thanksgiving game despite pressure from other NFL teams.[7] The NFL announced the Lions and the City of Detroit will host the April 2024 NFL Draft.

Stadium Upgrade

In February 2017, Wood unveiled plans for the first major renovation to the Detroit Lions’ home stadium, Ford Field, since it opened in 2002. The $100 million investment incorporated a complete overhaul of the audio and visual experience that features new videoboards as well as a new state-of-the-art sound system.[8] The stadium’s premium spaces also received a complete makeover with expanded offerings to fans. Wood has also discussed adding a retractable roof to the field to attract MLS teams to play there.[9] An entire new playing surface was installed at Ford Field in spring 2023.

References

  1. ^ Birkett, David (November 29, 2019). "New Lions president takes unique path to front office". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  2. ^ Maakaron, John (October 16, 2019). "Lions President Rod Wood Has Spoken to League about Officiating Woes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  3. ^ SI WIRE (November 19, 2015). "Detroit Lions hire Rod Wood as new team president". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  4. ^ Katzenstein, Jon (November 19, 2015). "Lions name Rod Wood team president". Detroit News. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  5. ^ Chirco, Vito (November 24, 2015). "Hiring Wood is another bad decision by the Lions". Vintage Detroit. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  6. ^ Alper, Josh (November 20, 2015). "Rod Wood: I'm not qualified to run other teams, I am qualified to run Lions". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  7. ^ Birkett, Dave (February 22, 2019). "Rod Wood: Detroit Lions will never give up Thanksgiving game". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  8. ^ Nagl, Kurt (July 19, 2017). "$100 million Ford Field upgrades to be done by Aug. 1 — minus playoff banners". Crain's Detroit. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  9. ^ Stoia, George (July 16, 2018). "Detroit Lions president: We're looking at Ford Field retractable roof". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2019.

External links

Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions presidents
National Football League team presidents
Categories