The Detroit Lions announced on Wednesday they’ve hired a new team president and CEO, and he doesn’t have to move too far for work.
The new team president is Richard Haddad, a Michigan native who has served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer of the Detroit Pistons since January of 2022. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Vice President of business affairs/administration and general counsel for the Pistons.
“Rich is a proven leader who understands what it means to steward an iconic
sports franchise in the city of Detroit, and we are thrilled that he is bringing that experience to the Lions,” Sheila Hamp said in a written statement. “Throughout our process, Rich’s experience, steady leadership style, and grasp on the present and future state of team sports were clear differentiators. My family and I are excited to work with Rich on driving the Lions forward in our continued pursuit to bring a championship to Detroit.”
Haddad made Sports Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” list in 2022. Here’s what he had to say to the publication back then:
“Detroit declared bankruptcy within a year and a half of my moving here, which is probably the bottom,” Haddad said. “It’s been incredible over the few years since then to see the city’s resurgence, and to have the opportunity through the Pistons to try to play a small role in accelerating all that.”
In addition to his work with the Pistons, he was part of the effort to bring back a WNBA team to Detroit (currently scheduled for 2029),
“I am thrilled to join the Detroit Lions organization as its next President and CEO,” Haddad said via a press release. “I want to thank Sheila Hamp and the Ford family for their trust in me, along with Tom Gores and Arn Tellem for 14 great years with the Pistons. 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. Sheila, Rod [Wood], Brad [Holmes] and Dan [Campbell] have built an incredible foundation, and I can’t wait to work with them to build on that and deliver for our fans and our community.”
Haddad replaces Rod Wood, who announced he was retiring earlier this offseason. Per the Lions’ official story on the hire, Wood, Hamp, Bill Ford, Chris Spielman, and Lindsay Verstegen were involved with the hiring, along with the advisory firm Russell Reynolds.
Wood will remain in place until Haddad completes with work with the Pistons and his transfer to the Lions is complete.
