John Jones (American football executive)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
Career information | |
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College: | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
Position: | President and COO |
Career history | |
As an executive: | |
NFL Management Council
| |
John Jones (born February 6, 1952) is an American former
During his tenure with the Packers, he was identified by then-team president
Early life and college
John Jones was born on February 6, 1952, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Loyola University of the South, where he received his undergraduate degree in journalism in 1973. He then moved to Wisconsin to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison to complete his master's degree in journalism.[1]
Professional career
Teacher and journalist
At the conclusion of his master's degree, Jones was hired as the editor of the Ray Nitschke's Packer Report, a newspaper dedicated to coverage of the Green Bay Packers and named after Ray Nitschke, a former Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker for the Packers. Jones served in this position for two years until he took a position in 1976 as an instructor of journalism at his alma mater, Loyola. In 1978, he began working for the New Orleans Times-Picayune as a journalist. For the next 9 years, Jones became an award-winning journalist, recognized by the Louisiana Sports Writers' Association for his writing and editing. During his time at the newspaper, he covered the National Football League (NFL) and the New Orleans Saints in depth.[1]
NFL Management Council
As a journalist, Jones wrote a number of articles covering the negotiations between the NFL and the
Jacksonville Jaguars
In between his two stints with the NFL Management Council, Jones was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were a newly formed expansion team. He served as their executive director of administration from 1994 to 1996.[1] Jones, who worked under the team's vice president for football operations, was initially hired to manage the Jaguars' salary cap and player contracts.[3]
Green Bay Packers
John Jones | |
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President, Green Bay Packers | |
In office 2006–2007 | |
Preceded by | Bob Harlan |
Succeeded by | Mark Murphy |
Packers president Bob Harlan hired Jones as the team's senior vice president of administration in 1999.[4] He served in that role until 2001, when he was promoted to vice president and chief operating officer (COO). Harlan had been grooming Jones to succeed him as president and CEO.[1] Based upon an agreed plan reviewed by the Packers board of directors, Jones was elected as the 10th president of the Packers, although Harlan retained the position of chief executive officer (CEO) until the latter's planned retirement in May 2007.[5] The goal was to provide Jones a transition period to continue to assume additional responsibilities before taking over completely.[1] Just days before Harlan's planned retirement, Jones was placed on an indefinite leave of absence from the organization.[6] In July 2007, the Packers announced Jones' departure from the organization and that Harlan would continue leading the organization as CEO with the presidency remaining vacant until a replacement was selected. The Packers ultimately reached a financial agreement with Jones that led to his formal resignation from the team.[7][8] Although his health and recent heart operation were noted as the official reasons for leaving the team, numerous articles reported on Jones' management style as a major contributor to his resignation.[6][7][8] Mark Murphy was elected in December 2007 and assumed the presidency and CEO roles in January 2008.[9]
During his time with the Packers, Jones worked in almost every area of the organization with a focus on financial management, facilities and other non-football team operations.[1] Immediately after being hired in 1999, Jones worked closely with Harlan on a $295 million plan to renovate Lambeau Field. Funding for the plan came primarily from a half-cent sales tax of Brown County, Wisconsin.[10][11] Harlan and Jones advocated strongly across the state for the passing of the referendum necessary to authorize the tax, noting the necessity of the redevelopment of Lambeau Field for the long-term financial stability of the Packers. After the tax was authorized, Jones worked to secure additional funding sources, including securing a loan from the NFL.[1] The redevelopment project began in 2001 and was completed in 2003.[10][11] The redevelopment helped make Lambeau Field a year-round destination by expanding the atrium to provide space for events, retail and a larger Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.[2] In the subsequent years, the Packers saw a windfall in profits that helped grow the team's emergency fund and keep the team financially competitive with larger-market NFL teams. Based on his past experience on the salary cap, stadium and other facility development and his roles in the non-football side of the business, Jones was named to numerus boards and committees, including the NFL Stadium Committee, the NFL Business Ventures board of directors and the NFL's Revenue Sharing Committee.[1]
Personal life
In 1973, Jones married his wife, Cindy, whom he met in college. They have two children, who both also graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "John Jones, President and Chief Operating Officer". Packers.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2007. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ a b Wisconsin Sports Network (March 1, 2007). "John Jones - Green Bay Packers". WIFCA.org. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Packers Timeline". Packers.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ "Harlan hands Packers presidency to Jones". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 31, 2006. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. May 27, 2007. Archivedfrom the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mark Murphy". Packers.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Experienced Jones to Succeed Harlan In 2007". Packers.com (Press release). October 12, 2005. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ^ Phillips, Andrew (June 8, 2011). "Back in the Race". DoorCountyPulse.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.