Detroit Pistons Chief Operating Officer Richard Haddad will become the next President and CEO of the Detroit Lions in early September, succeeding Rod Wood after a monthslong search led by owner Sheila Hamp and the advisory firm Russell Reynolds.
The Detroit Lions stayed local for their next chief executive, reaching across town to hire a veteran sports business executive with deep ties to the city’s professional athletic landscape.
A Monthslong Search and the Transition From Rod Wood
Haddad succeeds Rod Wood, who announced his retirement in February after 11 seasons at the helm. Wood originally joined the franchise in November 2015 following eight years as CEO and president of Ford Estates, the private firm managing investments and personal logistics for the Ford family, according to the Detroit Free Press. During his tenure, Wood oversaw a $100 million renovation of Detroit Free Press in 2017 and helped usher in a high-performing era under general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.
Wood served on the hiring committee alongside principal owner and chair Sheila Hamp, vice chairman Bill Ford Jr., senior football advisor Chris Spielman, and chief people and inclusion officer Lindsay Verstegen. The committee partnered with executive search firm Detroitlions to evaluate a wide pool of candidates from sports, entertainment, and business before landing on Haddad.
Wood will remain with the organization through early September to guide Haddad through the transition phase. Speaking about his departure earlier this year, Wood noted his retirement plans were centered on balance and spending time with his family.
Fourteen Years of Resurgence With Pistons Sports and Entertainment
Haddad brings a heavy infrastructure background to the Lions after holding executive positions with the Pistons, including chief operating officer and chief legal officer. An Adrian, Michigan native who earned a history degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Columbia Law School, Haddad previously practiced law at Proskauer Rose LLP and clerked for a federal judge before entering sports administration, as detailed by The New York Times.
During his 14-year run with Pistons Sports and Entertainment, Haddad helped lead several major downtown developments. According to MLive, those projects included the organization’s move from Auburn Hills back to downtown Detroit, the construction of the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center, and efforts to bring a WNBA franchise to Detroit with a riverfront practice facility. His executive contributions were recognized in 2022 when Detroitlions named him to its annual “40 under 40” list.
Reflecting on his arrival in Detroit during a previous economic downturn, Haddad pointed to the city’s broader recovery.
“Detroit declared bankruptcy within a year and a half of my moving here, which is probably the bottom. 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.”
Richard Haddad, via Pride Of Detroit
Leadership Expectations and the Pursuit of a Championship
Leadership at Ford Field emphasized that Haddad’s familiarity with the Detroit market and steady operational style separated him from other candidates in the national search. Sheila Hamp noted the qualities that convinced ownership to make the hire.
Photo: Detroit Free Press
“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. 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.”
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Sheila Hamp, Principal Owner and Chair
Stepping into the front office as a lifelong fan of the franchise, Haddad expressed appreciation to both his former colleagues at the Pistons—including Tom Gores and Arn Tellem—and the Ford family, emphasizing the foundation already established by Wood, Holmes, and Campbell, according to Detroitsportsnation.
“I am thrilled to join the Detroit Lions organization as its next President and CEO. 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, Brad and Dan 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.”
Richard Haddad, incoming President and CEO
Haddad expressed his excitement to begin his new role and work alongside the organization’s leadership to ensure continued success for the franchise and its supporters.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
