On Saturday, the Detroit Lions announced that both Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn were being relieved of their duties as head coach and general manager.
Following the news, Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp, who was joined by team president Rod Wood, spoke to media members via a Zoom press conference.
But what I found interesting is that there was no way for Lions fans to watch the presser live, you know, like EVERY other NFL organization would make available to their fans.
Then I listened to the Locked on Lions emergency podcast featuring Matt Dery, and he noted something very interesting.
During the podcast, Dery noted that the Lions made it very clear that they did not want any of the local television stations live-streaming Sheila’s press conference.
Emergency Podcast. #Lions fire Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia. Reaction to SFH presser and more. NOV 28. Locked On Lions – Daily Podcast On The Detroit Lions https://t.co/lKcL2zzn5U
— Matt Dery (@DerySpeaks) November 28, 2020
During Ford Hamp’s introductory press conference back in June, she promised that she would be more available to speak to the media compared to her mother and father but that has not been the case at all.
“Well, I’ll do things from time to time, for sure. Happy to talk,” Sheila said back in June. “I’m not sure I’m looking for a career in television or radio. It’ll be as we go. I’ll see how it is. Yes, I will talk to the media at times.”
Until Saturday’s Zoom call, Sheila had not been available at all so far this season, despite many media members reaching out to her.
Now, to be fair, following the Zoom call, the Lions did eventually put the recording out on social media for the fans to see but in my opinion, that is not enough.
If it were not for the fans, there would be no Detroit Lions and those fans deserve to hear from the owner of the team on a more regular basis.
That being said, after watching the Zoom meeting multiple times now, I can see exactly why Sheila does not want to be in front of the camera/microphone as she did absolutely nothing to reassure the fans about the future of the franchise.
Granted, actions speak louder than words, so we will see what happens as Ford Hamp searches for a GM and head coach.
