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New Era in Detroit: Lions Name Haddad President & CEO
Detroit Lions Hire New Team President: Richard Haddad Takes the Helm
Big News Alert! The Detroit Lions have a new boss. Sheila Hamp, the team’s principal owner, just announced that Richard "Rich" Haddad will become the team’s next President and CEO. He officially starts in early September.
Who Is Richard Haddad?
Think of Rich Haddad as a hometown hero with a superhero resume. Here’s the quick version:
- Born and raised in Michigan (Adrian, to be exact)
- University of Michigan grad (History degree) + Columbia Law School (Law degree)
- Spent the last 14 years running the business side of the Detroit Pistons (NBA) as their Chief Operating Officer (COO) — that’s like being the "Chief Get-Stuff-Done Officer"
- Helped move the Pistons back to Detroit from Auburn Hills
- Built the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center (a $90M practice facility)
- Helped bring a WNBA team back to Detroit and build their riverfront HQ
- Sits on boards for Midtown Detroit, Cranbrook Art Museum, and the Children’s Foundation
- Named to Sports Business Journal’s "40 Under 40" in 2022
- Lifelong Lions fan
ELI5 Moment: A COO (Chief Operating Officer) is the person who makes sure the trains run on time every single day. The President/CEO is the overall leader who sets the big vision and makes the final calls. Rich is moving from "making it run" to "deciding where we’re going."
What Does a Team President Actually Do?
Since this is an ELI5 article, let’s break it down like you’re 5 (or just new to sports business):
| Role | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| President & CEO | The top boss of the entire organization — football side and business side |
| Football Operations | The coaches, players, scouts, doctors — everyone who helps win games |
| Business Operations | Ticket sales, sponsorships, marketing, stadium stuff (Ford Field), community work, money matters |
| Reports To | Sheila Hamp (Owner) and the Board of Directors |
| Works Closely With | Brad Holmes (General Manager — picks the players), Dan Campbell (Head Coach — coaches the players), Rod Wood (Outgoing President — helping with the handoff) |
In short: Rich is now the captain of the whole ship — not just the engine room.
Why This Is a Big Deal for the Lions
Here’s why Lions fans should be excited (and maybe do a little dance):
- He knows Detroit like the back of his hand — born here, works here, lives here, loves here
- Proven track record — he didn’t just watch the Pistons’ revival; he helped build it
- Master connector — works with city leaders, business bigwigs, community groups, government — gets things approved and funded
- Venue wizard — runs 313 Presents (6 entertainment venues!) — so he knows how to make Ford Field a year-round money-maker
- Championship mindset — Sheila Hamp said it best: "continued pursuit to bring a championship to Detroit"
- Smooth transition — Rod Wood (current President) stays on to help him settle in. No chaos. Just class.
KEY TAKEAWAY: This isn’t a "hope he works out" hire. This is a "we got the guy who already won in this city" hire.
Haddad’s Greatest Hits (Pistons Edition)
Here are the highlight-reel plays from his 14-year run with Pistons Sports & Entertainment:
- Moved the Pistons home — From Auburn Hills back to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit (2017)
- Built a palace for players — Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center (state-of-the-art practice facility)
- Brought the WNBA back — Helped land a new WNBA franchise + built their riverfront HQ & practice facility
- Runs the show scene — Board member of 313 Presents → books concerts/events at 6 venues (Fox Theatre, Fillmore, Pine Knob, etc.)
- Community champion — Board member for Midtown Detroit Inc., Cranbrook, Children’s Foundation
Fun Fact: Before sports, Rich was a lawyer in NYC at a top firm (Proskauer Rose), representing clients in sports, finance, media, entertainment, aviation, real estate — so he speaks "business" and "law" fluently.
How Did the Lions Find Him?
It wasn’t a "text a buddy" situation. This was a full-on national executive search:
The Search Committee (All-Stars Only):
- Sheila Hamp — Owner & Chair
- Bill Ford — Vice Chairman (yes, that Ford family)
- Rod Wood — Outgoing President & CEO
- Chris Spielman — Lions legend, Senior Football Advisor
- Lindsay Verstegen — Chief People & Inclusion Officer
The Pro Help:
- Russell Reynolds — One of the world’s top executive search firms (they find CEOs for Fortune 500 companies)
The Process:
- Defined exactly what the Lions needed (vision, leadership, Detroit IQ, sports + biz expertise)
- Russell Reynolds built a large candidate pool from sports, entertainment, and business
- Committee interviewed, debated, vetted
- Rich Haddad stood out — experience, steadiness, "grasps the present and future of team sports" (Hamp’s words)
- Unanimous thumbs up
Sheila Hamp: "They proved why they’re considered one of the best executive leadership advisory firms in the world." — on Russell Reynolds
What Happens Next? (The Transition Plan)
No "sink or swim" here. The Lions are doing this the right way:
- Now → Early September — Rich wraps up at the Pistons (Tom Gores & Arn Tellem gave him a glowing send-off)
- Early September — Rich officially starts as Lions President & CEO
- Ongoing — Rod Wood stays as a transition advisor — think of him as the "wise sherpa" showing Rich the Lions-specific ropes
- Day 1 — Rich partners with Sheila Hamp, Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell to set the vision for:
- Lions’ football future
- Ford Field upgrades / year-round revenue
- Community impact
- Championship pursuit
Summary: The TL;DR
| What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Rich Haddad hired as Lions President & CEO | Top business leader in Detroit sports now runs your team |
| Starts early September | Smooth handoff from Rod Wood (retiring but staying to help) |
| 14 yrs as Pistons COO | Built practice facility, moved team downtown, brought WNBA back, runs 6 venues |
| Michigan native, U-M & Columbia Law grad | Knows the city, the people, the politics, the passion |
| Chosen via national search + top firm | Not a favor — a strategic, vetted, unanimous decision |
| Goal: Championship + Ford Field growth | Aligns perfectly with Hamp, Holmes, Campbell’s vision |
Bottom line: The Lions just hired a proven winner who bleeds Honolulu blue.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions, Answered
1. Is Rich Haddad replacing Brad Holmes or Dan Campbell?
Nope! Brad (GM) and Dan (Head Coach) run the football side. Rich runs the entire organization — football + business. They’re teammates, not rivals. He’s their new boss, but a supportive one.
2. Why leave the Pistons for the Lions?
In his own words: "As a lifelong Lions fan, I understand firsthand how much this team means to this city and state, and I’m honored and humbled to lead this franchise." Also — bigger stage, football-crazed market, chance to cap his career with a Super Bowl.
3. What happens to Rod Wood?
He retired in February but agreed to stay through the transition. He’s not gone — he’s the guide. Class move by everyone.
4. Will this change ticket prices / Ford Field experience?
Too early to say. But Rich runs 313 Presents (concerts/events at 6 venues). He knows how to pack a building and make it profitable year-round. Expect Ford Field to get busier and better.
5. Does he know football?
He didn’t play or coach — but he ran an NBA franchise for 14 years, worked with basketball ops daily, and just spent months being vetted by Chris Spielman (Lions legend) and Brad Holmes. He knows winning sports organizations.
One Pride. One City. One New Leader.
Welcome to the Den, Rich Haddad. Let’s go get that trophy.
