PHOENIX – Lions team president Rod Wood spoke to the media Tuesday at the conclusion of the Annual League Meetings in Arizona. Wood is headed toward much-deserved retirement to spend more time with family and friends but there is still work to be done before that becomes official. He spoke on a number of different team and league topics in a wide-ranging interview Tuesday.
Here are my five biggest takeaways from that media session:
1. Update on search for new president
Wood, who has been the Lions president and CEO since 2015, is set to retire before the start of the 2026 season. Wood will remain with the team until his successor is hired following a global search led by Russell Reynolds Associates.
Wood said Russell Reynolds Associates has been focused on identifying external candidates up to this point but will also review all the internal candidates and will start meeting with the candidates in April. Wood said an interview panel consisting of himself, Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Hamp, Senior Football Advisor to Ownership Chris Spielman, Owner/Vice Chair Bill Ford Jr. and Chief People and Diversity Officer Lindsay Verstegen will meet with potential candidates.
He said general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell will also get an opportunity to weigh in on the process.
“In terms of what I’m looking for, I’m looking for the best person to lead the Lions,” Wood said. “Ideally somebody who has the right kind of executive presence and leadership skills. Some COO or CEO experience running a big organization. Doesn’t necessarily have to be someone with football experience but that would be an advantage if it works out. Have a lot of really interesting people who have raised their hand, so we’ll see where it goes.”