After 36 years with the Kansas City Chiefs, team president Denny Thum has resigned.
The team announced the move today.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working for the best franchise in the NFL,” Thum said in a team-issued release. “I appreciate every opportunity the Hunt family has afforded me and my family and I wish the Kansas City Chiefs all the success they deserve in the future.”
Thum began working for the team as an accountant, way back in 1974. Team chairman Clark Hunt has added the title of CEO to his office door, and Hunt “will continue” to lead the football and business operations of the Chiefs.
As we understand the division of authority in Kansas City, the duties held by former G.M. and president Carl Peterson were split between G.M. Scott Pioli (who took over the football operation) and Thum (who ran the business side of the franchise).
Hunt said that there are no immediate plans to fill the position held by Thum and that no outside search will take place.
In our view, the move has no impact on the football operations. If anything, it’s a sign of Pioli’s growing influence. And we wouldn’t be surprised if the “president” title is painted onto his office door at some point, if the Chiefs continue to show improvement over the next year or so.