via Imago
Detroit Lions principal owner and chair Sheila Ford Hamp laughs as the crowd boos her as she is introduced during a ceremony honoring former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson for his induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, at halftime of the Detroit Lions’ NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Ford Field in Detroit, on Sunday, September 26, 2021. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)
via Imago
Detroit Lions principal owner and chair Sheila Ford Hamp laughs as the crowd boos her as she is introduced during a ceremony honoring former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson for his induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, at halftime of the Detroit Lions’ NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at Ford Field in Detroit, on Sunday, September 26, 2021. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)
Did you know the Detroit Lions have been in the Ford family’s hands since 1963? That’s right! But 3 Ford owners later, and they’re still looking for their first Super Bowl ring. Once upon a time, before the Fords took over, the Lions racked up four NFL championships. But since then? Let’s just say yikes! With only three playoff wins since 1957, it’s been a rough ride for Lions’ fans.
But wait! Things are finally looking up. The Lions ended a 32-year playoff winless drought in 2023 and even reached their second NFC Championship game. Now, they are roaring in the 2024 season so far with a 3-1 record. Under who? That’s Sheila Ford Hamp for you. She is the current principal owner. And with the knowledge from the Ford and Firestone dynasties, you can trust her insights. At least when it comes to the business side of things.
What is Sheila Ford Hamp’s 2024 net worth?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
I mean, when you are a great-granddaughter of the automotive pioneer, Henry Ford. You are in for a treat in that family dynasty. But Sheila hoisting that Ford family banner isn’t just about cars, though. It’s about revolutionizing the Lions, too. After all, it’s about time they roar like they mean it!
Now, as for Sheila Ford Hamp’s net worth, according to Pro Football Network, it stands at an impressive $2 billion. Phew! She can buy a whole fleet of the Champs if she wants. Sure, with that family inheritance, she was bound for financial success. But you must have the acumen to even continue what your elders once started. The kind of pressure that can derail the best. But not Sheila.
And that’s why this isn’t just a tale of inherited riches. Sheila has carved out her own space in the business world, earning respect along the way. She co-chairs the Purple Rose Theatre Company with her husband, Steve, and sits on the boards of the Ford Motor Company Fund and Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.
Sports Illustrated listed Sheila Ford Hamp as one of their 50 most influential figures and forces in sports 👏 pic.twitter.com/p3hmkivjdN
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 20, 2024
With her resume and knowledge, Sheila’s positioning the Lions for a brighter future—maybe even a shot at the playoffs. Nah?! The SB shall do. And to be honest, with her at the helm, it looks ever so likely. Don’t trust us? The numbers speak. By the end of 2022, the Lions outperformed teams like the Raiders and even Aaron Rodgers’ Packers.
That’s what smart moves from Sheila Ford Hamp and the Lions’ front office can do. We’d say let them cook. But she’d not be here had her dad not decided to invest in the franchise back in the day.
How much did the Fords pay for the Detroit Lions?
Almost all of us remember November 22, 1963, as the day when President John F. Kennedy’s assassination took place. But not many would know that it was on this day that William Clay Ford Sr. bought the Lions for the time’s most ever offer.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
A whopping $6 million! It was a hefty sum back then. Like of course! With 94% of the votes in his favor, Ford made quite the entrance into the NFL, claiming his spot in a league that was just starting to heat up.
But hold onto your helmets because the drama didn’t stop there. Just two days later, the Lions coughed up a 28-17 third-quarter lead and lost to the Minnesota Vikings, 34-31. That’s the kind of start that would make any owner sweat!
What’s your perspective on:
Can Sheila Ford Hamp finally break the Lions' Super Bowl curse with her leadership?
Have an interesting take?
Despite the rough debut, Ford was seen as a generous guy who let his coaches do their thing—though sometimes that trust led to a few misfires. Bobby Ross, the head coach from ’97 to ’00, summed it up perfectly: “He was involved, but yet he let you do your job, too.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fast forward to now, and the Ford family is still at the helm of the Lions. And it looks like they’re in it for the long haul, with the team currently valued at a jaw-dropping $4.93 billion, making it the 28th most valuable franchise in the NFL, according to Sportico. Almost 833 times the original price!
Now, this valuation under Sheila’s project and vision would only grow. At least, that’s the hope.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
Debate
Can Sheila Ford Hamp finally break the Lions' Super Bowl curse with her leadership?