Sheila Ford Hamp

On June 23, 2020, Sheila Ford Hamp succeeded her mother, Martha Firestone Ford, as Principal Owner and Chairman of the Detroit Lions. Over the last six seasons (2014-19), Mrs. Hamp most recently served as one of the team's vice chairmen during her mother's ownership.

Mrs. Hamp carries the Ford Family's proud legacy that was first established by her father, William Clay Ford, who passed away on March 9, 2014, after serving as the sole owner of the franchise for 50 seasons (1964-2013). Mr. Ford's ownership grew into a deeply-rooted family tradition that now includes multiple generations of the Ford Family.

At the age of five, Mrs. Hamp, the second of four children, began attending Lions games at Briggs (Tiger) Stadium and Lions training camp at Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. As a teenager, her love of the Lions and knowledge of the game of football would impress many, including then NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. Now as Principal Owner and Chairman, Mrs. Hamp focuses that love, knowledge and commitment to the team that has been part of her family for decades. She also serves on the NFL's Super Bowl and Major Events Committee and the board for Detroit Lions Charities.

Beyond her involvement with the Lions, Mrs. Hamp and her husband, Steve, are very active in numerous community and charitable organizations. Together they Co-Chair the board of the Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, Mich. Mrs. Hamp also is the Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Henry Ford. In addition, she serves on the Boards of The Ford Motor Company Fund and the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House.

Mrs. Hamp was a member of the ground-breaking group of students who were in the first class of women to graduate from Yale University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Yale, she played varsity tennis and earned Major Y honors during her college career. Following her graduation from Yale, she earned her Masters of Arts degree in teaching and early childhood education from Boston University.

Sports have always been an integral part of Mrs. Hamp's life. In addition to her accomplishments as a college tennis player, she competed as a junior tennis player at the national level and won a Michigan State tennis title at age 17. She also coached youth soccer for more than 10 years in her current home town of Ann Arbor, where she and her husband, Steve, raised their family.