Lions owner Sheila Hamp makes SI's list of most influential figures in sports

For a long time, decades truly, Detroit Lions' ownership was the No. 1 object of ire for long-suffering fans of the team. Sheila Hamp replaced her mother, Martha Firestone Ford, as principal owner in June 2020 and started changing the culture soon after.

The domino effect has been clear. From bringing former Lions linebacker Chris Spielman back to the organization, to the pairing of general manager Brad Holmes with head coach Dan Campbell, wins have followed and the future looks bright.

When she was named one of Michiganians of the Year for 2024 by the Detroit News, Hamp nicely summarized her mission as the Lions' owner.

"I think of myself as a steward of the Lions. The team belongs to the city of Detroit, and Detroit is a football town, for sure. If we could actually put together a winning organization for our fans, for the city, it would really be something. And you know, that's turned out to be the case."

Sheila Hamp makes SI's list of most influential figures in sports

Sports Illustrated released their list of the 50 most influential figures in sports earlier this week. It's not ranked 1-50, but Hamp is in the subcategory of "Executives and Dealmakers".

"It wasn’t long ago that the Ford family was inundated with persistent calls from Lions fans to sell the team, he loud chants at Ford Field helped the faithful endure a 66-season championship drought. Those protests have quieted over the last few seasons. The reason for that shift in tune? Hamp. The 72-year-old great-granddaughter of Henry Ford, took over club ownership from her mother, Martha Firestone Ford, in June 2020. In her four years at the helm, Hamp has helped transform the Lions from a mockery into a Super Bowl contender. One of her first orders of business was hiring general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, who led the Lions to their first NFC championship game since 1991 last season. Hamp has converted Detroit into a football town brimming with promise.”
-Clare Brennan, Sports Illustrated

It's surreal seeing someone associated with the Lions on a list that includes Tom Brady, LeBron James, Adam Silver, Caitlin Clark, Scottie Scheffler and others with a high level of prestige and influence in the sports world. But Hamp being acknowledged like that is another sign that what the Lions have going on is