Tag: CEO

Commanders president Jason Wright was a finalist to be Packers CEO and team president

The Packers were reportedly interested in Jason Wright.

Washington Commanders team president Jason Wright almost landed a new job. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Wright was a finalist for the Green Bay Packers president and CEO position.

The move would’ve represented a step up for Wright as the Packers are the NFL’s only publicly-owned, nonprofit organization, meaning he would’ve essentially operated as owner.

The Packers hired Ed Policy, who had been with the organization since 2012. Policy first served as Green Bay’s vice president and general counsel before he was promoted to COO in 2018.

Wright, 41, joined Washington in 2020, becoming the NFL’s first Black team president. His time in Washington has been full of ups and downs. Wright led Washington’s rebranding to the Commanders in 2022, which didn’t go well with a large portion of the fan base.

There have been other mishaps, such as the Sean Taylor Memorial. However, Wright entered an impossible situation working directly under former owner Dan Snyder. When Snyder sold the team to Josh Harris last summer, Harris retained Wright.

Mark Murphy, who played eight seasons for the Redskins from 1977-84, is retiring in 2025 as Green Bay’s president and CEO.

Joe Ellis steps down, Greg Penner becomes new Broncos CEO

Joe Ellis stepped down from his role as Broncos president/CEO. Greg Penner will serve as the new owner/CEO and Damani Leech will become the new president.

When late former Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen stepped down from his day-to-day duties in 2014 due to his battle with Alzheimer’s disease, team president/chief executive officer Joe Ellis became the team’s de facto owner.

Ellis was part of Bowlen’s trust that was set up to manage the team until a new owner was established. Following the sale of the team to a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, Ellis’ time running the club has come to an end.

“As I step down as President & CEO, it has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to be part of the Denver Broncos for 27 seasons,” Ellis said in a statement. “I am forever thankful to our dedicated staff, the players and coaches for making this franchise what it has become today — one of the best organizations in all of sports.”

Ellis will serve as an advisor for the team’s new ownership group this season, but the the Broncos are filling his two former titles with new executives.

Walton is the team’s majority owner but his son-in-law, Greg Penner, will handle day-to-day ownership duties as the team’s new CEO. Penner is essentially the new Ellis, the executive tasked with running the club.

To fill Ellis former title of team president, Denver hired Damani Leech. He will be responsible for managing the team’s business operations. Broncos general manager George Paton will continue to run the football operations.

A new era in Denver begins now.

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Chris Spielman to join Detroit Lions as Special Assistant to Chairman and President & CEO

The Detroit Lions announced that former linebacker Chris Spielman to join the team as Special Assistant to Chairman and President & CEO.

The Detroit Lions announced that former linebacker Chris Spielman will join the team as Special Assistant to Chairman and President & CEO.

Spielman spent eight years with the Lions after they selected him in the second round of the 1988 draft, and he led the team to NFC North (then Central) division titles and an appearance in the 1992 NFC Championship Game. He was a team captain, a Pro Bowler, and team MVP.

After Spielman’s playing career was complete, he entered broadcasting and has spent time across multiple networks including ESPN, FOX, and was the color commentator for the Lions preseason games the last seven seasons.

As this is a full-time role, Spielman will be stepping away from his current broadcasting position at FOX to immediately help Shelia Ford Hamp and Rod Wood in their search for a new general manager and head coach. He will sit in on all interviews moving forward and will go back and revisit the three internal interviews the Lions conducted last week.

“I am humbled and excited about the opportunity to be involved with the franchise that is truly a part of me,” Spielman said in a press release. “The opportunity to work with Rod Wood and every single person in the Lions organization can’t get here fast enough. To Lions fans everywhere, I will do everything in my power to help Mrs. Hamp and the Ford Family achieve their vision of something we can all be proud of.”

Bringing in a football minded advisor in Spielman, to assist business-minded Wood and new principal owner Hamp in their search is a wise move, as it will give them a trusted perspective outside of their own.

Hamp and Wood also issued statements:

Hamp: “Chris Spielman has been a tremendous ambassador for the Detroit Lions since the day he first put on a uniform as a rookie in 1988. He brings great passion for people and the game of football, and we are thrilled to have him on board to help lead our team. This position is a full-time opportunity for Chris that will allow him to work across various departments on both the football and business sides of our organization.”

Wood: “This is an exciting day for the Lions organization. The Ford Family and I look forward to working with Chris and leaning on his knowledge and advice as we take the next steps as a team. His relationship with our team and our city will serve as a strong foundation for him in helping to fortify and sustain our organization’s culture.”

Additionally, the Lions announced that Barry Sanders (former Lions Hall of Fame Running Back), Rod Graves (Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation Executive Director), Mark Hollis (Rock Ventures Vice President of Business Development) will serve as advisors in the teams search for a GM and head coach.