Rod Wood
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rod Wood | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Wood in 2025 | |
| Born | 1960 or 1961 (age 64–65) |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan-Flint; ABA Graduate School of Commercial Banking |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | President of the Detroit Lions |
Rod Wood is an American businessman and football executive who is the president of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).[1][2]
Detroit Lions
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]
Wood was signed with the Detroit Lions as a team president on November 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 Lions's traditional Thanksgiving game despite pressure from other NFL teams.[7] Under Wood's leadership and direction, the Lions and the City of Detroit hosted the 2024 NFL draft.
On February 18, 2026, Wood announced his intentions to retire prior to the 2026 NFL season.[8]
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.[9] 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.[10] An entire new playing surface was installed at Ford Field in spring 2023.
References
- ↑ Birkett, David (November 29, 2019). "New Lions president takes unique path to front office". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ↑ Maakaron, John (October 16, 2019). "Lions President Rod Wood Has Spoken to League about Officiating Woes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ↑ SI WIRE (November 19, 2015). "Detroit Lions hire Rod Wood as new team president". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ↑ Katzenstein, Jon (November 19, 2015). "Lions name Rod Wood team president". Detroit News. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ↑ Chirco, Vito (November 24, 2015). "Hiring Wood is another bad decision by the Lions". Vintage Detroit. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Birkett, Dave (February 22, 2019). "Rod Wood: Detroit Lions will never give up Thanksgiving game". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- ↑ "Lions president and CEO Rod Wood to retire before 2026 season". espn.com. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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
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