Quick Facts: Detroit Lions
| Current Owner | Sheila Ford Hamp (Principal Owner & Chair) |
| Ownership Type | Private (family) |
| Owner Since | 2020 |
| Ford Family Owner Since | 1963 |
| Original Purchaser | William Clay Ford Sr. |
| Family Connection | Great-granddaughter of Henry Ford (Ford Motor Company) |
| Predecessor | Martha Firestone Ford (mother, 2014–2020) |
Who Owns the Detroit Lions?
Sheila Ford Hamp has served as the Detroit Lions’ principal owner and chair since 2020, continuing a Ford family ownership run that stretches back nearly six decades.
Her grandfather, William Clay Ford Sr. — grandson of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford — bought the Lions in 1963 for $4.5 million, and remained the team’s controlling owner for over 50 years until his death in 2014.
Following William Clay Ford Sr.’s death, his wife Martha Firestone Ford took over as principal owner, running the team for six years before passing control to their daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp, in 2020.
The Lions have not won an NFL championship since 1957, the longest active title drought in the league, though the team’s competitive fortunes improved notably under Sheila Ford Hamp’s ownership, including a run to the NFC Championship Game in the 2023 season.
Detroit Lions Ownership History
| Year | Event | Owner / Key Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Franchise moves to Detroit | George A. Richards | Formerly the Portsmouth Spartans |
| 1957 | NFL championship | Pre-Ford ownership | Last league title to date |
| 1963–2014 | William Clay Ford Sr. buys the team | William Clay Ford Sr. | $4.5 million; over 50 years of ownership |
| 2014–2020 | Martha Firestone Ford becomes owner | Martha Firestone Ford | Following husband’s death |
| 2020–Present | Sheila Ford Hamp becomes principal owner | Sheila Ford Hamp | Third generation of Ford family ownership |
About the Ford Family
The Lions’ ownership is a completely separate matter from Ford Motor Company — William Clay Ford Sr. was a Ford Motor Company executive and board member throughout his life, but the Lions were his personal sports investment, not a corporate holding.
Sheila Ford Hamp has pushed to modernize the franchise’s operations and culture since taking over, widely credited alongside general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell for the team’s competitive turnaround in the early 2020s.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Ford family ownership has now spanned three generations: William Clay Ford Sr., then his wife Martha Firestone Ford, then their daughter Sheila Ford Hamp.
- The Lions have the NFL’s longest active championship drought: no league title since 1957, predating Ford family ownership entirely.
- Team ownership is distinct from Ford Motor Company: despite the shared family name, the Lions are a personal Ford family investment, not connected to the automaker’s corporate structure.
- Sheila Ford Hamp’s tenure has coincided with a genuine competitive turnaround: including the franchise’s first NFC Championship Game appearance in decades during the 2023 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Detroit Lions?
Sheila Ford Hamp, who has served as principal owner and chair since 2020.
When did the Ford family buy the Lions?
William Clay Ford Sr. bought the team in 1963 for $4.5 million.
Is the team connected to Ford Motor Company?
No, the Lions are a separate, personal Ford family investment, not a Ford Motor Company asset.
When did the Lions last win a championship?
1957, the longest active title drought in the NFL.
Who owned the Lions before Sheila Ford Hamp?
Her mother, Martha Firestone Ford, who took over in 2014 after William Clay Ford Sr.’s death.
