Brian A. Ford

COO at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brian A. Ford, Jr. enters his 14th year with the organization after joining the Buccaneers in 2006 and in his role, oversees all aspects of the organization's day-to-day business operations and community involvement. He works directly with team ownership to ensure that Buccaneers fans, season pass members and corporate sponsors receive a first- in-class experience. Under Ford's leadership, the Buccaneers have consistently earned top marks among NFL teams for customer service experience, ranking No. 1 in the league's annual Voice of the Fan report six of the past eight seasons.

This past offseason during the coronavirus pandemic, Ford worked closely with local authorities, medical experts and the Tampa Sports Authority to devise a comprehensive plan for ensuring the safety of Buccaneers players, staff, game day employees and fans for the start of the 2020 NFL season.

Previously, Ford oversaw a comprehensive, $160-million renovation of Raymond James Stadium that completely updated and transformed the fan in-game experience. The multi-phase project included a redesign of all concessions locations; installation of new, state-of-the-art HD video boards in each end zone and four HD tower video displays in each corner of the lower bowl; and a comprehensive new sound system. Additional enhancements have also included the renovation of all luxury suites and a complete redesign of both the west and east stadium clubs; a new, 10,000 square-foot team retail store; introduction of the highly successful, all-inclusive Hall of Fame Club concept; an expansive new home team locker room; and the opening of a new premium sports bar and restaurant named Bar 76.

In addition to the stadium renovation project, Ford also oversaw the planning and construction of the team's new state-of-the-art indoor practice facility which opened prior to the start of the 2017 regular season. The 100,000 square-foot facility features a full-sized FieldTurf playing surface and includes up to 3,500 seats for viewing of select training camp practices.

Prior to joining the Buccaneers, Ford was part of the team that opened Raymond James Stadium as the district manager with Fine Host Corporation in 1998. He remained in that capacity until 2006, when he began his career with the Buccaneers.

An active participant in and around the Tampa Bay area, Ford is a member of the Pediatric Cancer advisory board in addition to serving on the boards of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay, American Cancer Society CEOs Against Cancer – Florida Chapter, Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation and the Dedman School of Hospitality Florida State University Director Council. In addition to serving on the Sports Advisory Council for Special Olympics Florida, he was also appointed as a member of the Board of Directors for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games that will be hosted in Orlando, Florida in June of 2022. Ford has also been a driving force and participant in the team's annual Cut for a Cure event since its inception in 2012. The event has raised over $315,000 for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation to date. Prior to the 2016 season, Ford also became a member of the Honorary Commander 927th Air Refueling Wing, which allows business men and women from the local community an opportunity for an up close and personal experience of the policies, programs and overall mission capability of the United States Air Force.

The native of Miramar, Florida, graduated from Florida State University in 1989 with a B.S. in business administration. In 2018, Ford was named the Alumnus of the Year from Florida State's Dedman School of Hospitality. He is an avid runner and triathlete and competes in numerous events each year, including a marathon each of the past 16 years as well as several 70.3 Half Ironman events over that same period.

He married his high school sweetheart, Judy, in 1989 and the couple lives in Tampa and has two sons, Brian III and Brandon. Judy is also a graduate of Florida State University's College of Education. Both sons also attended FSU, and this past May, Brian III graduated with his master's degree in sports management while Brandon continues work on his master's.

Timeline

  • COO

    Current role

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