Ed Policy

Edward Regis Policy (born October 6, 1970) is an American football executive who is the current chief operating officer (COO) and general counsel for the Green Bay Packers. Policy, whose father Carmen Policy was an American football executive for the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns, received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and his Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School. After a brief stint as a lawyer, Policy worked for the Arena Football League (AFL) for nine years, including serving two years as it Commissioner. He then worked for the NFL for two years before being hired by the Packers in 2012 as a vice president and general counsel. During his time with the Packers, Policy helped developed the Titletown District and began taking on more responsibility in the business operations of the team. In 2024, Policy was selected as the next president of the Packers by its board of directors, succeeding current president Mark Murphy, who is facing a mandatory retirement age in July 2025.

Edward Policy was born on October 6, 1970, in Youngstown, Ohio.^[1] His father, Carmen Policy, was an American football executive for the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns for over 20 years.^[2] As an executive, the elder Policy rose to be the president of the 49ers, and then the president and CEO of the Browns.^[3] He was one of five children, which included two brothers and two sisters.^[4] Policy attended Cardinal Mooney High School in Ohio, where he played football and graduated in 1989.^[4][5] After high school, Policy attended the University of Notre Dame, where received a Bachelor of Business Administration.^[6] He attended Stanford Law School for post-graduate studies, where he received his law degree in 1996.^[7]

After law school, Policy worked at two law firms. From 1994 to 1999, he worked at Heller Ehrman in San Francisco, California, with a focus on sports facility construction.^[7] In 1999 he moved to Thompson Hine LLP in Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked until 2001. At Thompson Hine, Policy's work "included litigation, sports labor relations, sports facility construction and commercial real estate".^[8]

Policy began working for the Arena Football League (AFL) in 2001.^[7] During his time with the AFL, he served as deputy commissioner, executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) before being elevated to president, CEO and Commissioner of the league. Policy learned every part of football business operations while with the AFL, "including strategic development, legal affairs, sales, finance, marketing, broadcasting, digital media, football operations, labor relations, events and human resources".^[4] Policy became Commissioner after C. David Baker stepped down two days before ArenaBowl XXII.^[9] Faced when financial challenges, the AFL attempted a reorganization by cancelling the 2009 season, providing time for a new business model to develop.^[10] Policy noted in announcing the suspension that the owners and players were still committed to the league, but that the AFL needed to develop better long term financial sustainability.^[11] Policy resigned in April 2009, noting that his position was no longer relevant in the new league format.^[12] Shortly thereafter, the AFL went into bankruptcy.^[13]

Beginning in 2009 Policy worked as a consultant for the National Football League, but left prior to the 2011 NFL lockout to work for a startup company.^[7] During his time with the NFL, where he got to know Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, "he advised and assisted NFL senior management in strategic and development matters, and worked with senior executives on special projects within various business areas".^[4]

In 2012 the Green Bay Packers hired Policy to serve as vice president and general counsel, after the departure of Jason Weid.^[3] He was promoted to COO and general counsel in January 2018, with the Packers noting that he would be involved in more business operations for the team. At the time of his promotion, he was identified as a possible successor to Mark Murphy as team president.^[14] During his time as an executive, Policy has worked in almost every facet of the Packers' day-to-day operations, including legal affairs, security, community engagement and overall governance of the team.^[15] Policy worked for numerous years to bring the NFL Draft to Lambeau Field.^[16] Policy and the team were ultimately successful, with the NFL announcing that the 2025 Draft would be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin.^[17] One of Policy's signature achievements was the development of the Titletown District adjacent to Lambeau Field.^[18] The Titletwn District is a mixed-use development with community amenities owned and operated by the Packers, providing additional non-football-related revenue.^[19][20]

In June 2024, the Packers announced Policy would replace Mark Murphy as the team's president and chief executive officer in July 2025.^[21] The team's board of directors elected Policy unanimously after a search committee winnowed a list of more than 90 candidates.^[22] The announcement began a one year transition period that would concluded with Murphy's retirement, which is required by the team's by-laws for all executive officers when they turn 70 years old.^[23]

Policy, whose first marriage ended in divorce, married Christina Less, daughter of United States Navy Vice Admiral Anthony A. Less, in 2005.^[24] The couple have two sons.^[8] Policy has served on various local boards, including the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Green Bay YMCA, Brown County United Way and the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation.^[6]

• Ed Policy biography at Packers.com