I used to defend Detroit Lions Owner William Clay Ford a little. People would always complain about him and say he didn't want to win, he just wanted to make money.
I would reply by saying he had enough money so that wasn't his only motivation and he did actually want to win but he just didn't know how. Ford's biggest problem was he was slow to react.
There is an interview with Ford posted at the Detroit Free Press Web site and an answer to one question proves my point about his slow decision-making skills.
Here's the question and answer referring to former President Matt Millen, who was the worst executive in sports history:
Did you support him for too long?
“Well, maybe. But I think circumstances, timing, were important. You don’t want to jump ship after two games or one game or anything like that. When the fans were really getting fed up, you think, ‘OK, time to make a move.’ Thought about it, obviously. But the timing just worked out the way it did.”
Maybe? Maybe? Ford supported Millen about four years too long. I thought it was a good move to give Millen a chance. He had Super Bowl rings and was an expert analyst. That doesn't make you ready to run a team but he was exposed to winning football teams all his life.
I figured after the previous 50 years in Lions history, Millen was worth a gamble. However, after four years, his hiring proved to be a mistake.
Unfortunately, it took Ford several years to catch on.
In the interview, Ford talked about pleasing the fans. He also said making a change was about timing. That timing included an outcry from the fans he wants to please.
Well, Mr. Ford, your fans shouldn't have to revolt for you to care enough to make a change. Good owners make that move when it obvious things are not working out, not when the fans start boycotting games and stop spending money on your team.
Ford's comments make me think those people who claimed Ford was only concerned about money were right, at least partly. Ford does look at the Lions like a business and he should. But, professional sports are a different kind of business where profits need to be measured along with winning to be considered a great franchise.
I'm sure Ford gets half that equation. The part about profits. Yeah, I think he wants to win, he just doesn't know how to win. I think he is embarrased by the losses but a bulging checkbook helps to ease that pain.
I think Ford made the right call by hiring Jim Schwartz as head coach but that doesn't mean the team will be winning anytime soon.
And if history tells us anything, if Schwartz isn't the right choice, Ford won't make the call for change about three or four years too late, or until the fans stop filling Ford Field again.
Until next time, enjoy Michigan. What the heck...GOOOO LIONS!
June 25th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Good points, Mike.
Winning does equal money in sports but with the NFL and its revenue sharing, a team doesn’t have to do anything and still make a profit.
You could be right, Mr. Ford could be lousy at running a team. Actually, he hasn’t shown he is capable of putting a winner on the field.
June 25th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I don’t think it’s money that motivates Ford. Let me play armchair psychologist for a moment …
Between himself and his Firestone wife, they have so much money that it can’t be his motivation, besides, if he really wants to make the big bucks, he’s gotta win! Winning in pro sports = $$$!
I think his problem is mostly ego. In pro sports, when an owner makes a bad decision, everybody and their brother is on his case about it. Hey, that’s the nature of the business, but I think he gets it in his head that “other people” are telling him what to do, so he (defensively) shuts his mind down and (mistakenly) sticks to his guns.
It’s also my understanding that despite the high-profile position with Ford Motor he enjoyed, he was never that well respected or liked. If true, that’s all more reason to believe his ego makes him a poor decision maker.
The other thing is … and no offense to Mr. Ford … but maybe the real answer is the simplest one: He just plain sucks at his job!
Hey, we all suck at something.