Detroit Lions Hall of Fame RB Barry Sanders explains his thoughts on Kerryon Johnson and the Lions offense at the Super Bowl, Feb. 1, 2019 in Atlanta.
Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
After five straight years of escalating prices, it will cost about the same to attend a Detroit Lions game next season as it did in 2018.
The Lions emailed season-ticket holders renewal forms for the 2019 season on Friday and the team said 92 percent of all season-ticket prices will remain the same or see a slight decrease in price while “highly in-demand seat locations will increase.”
Overall, the average price of a Lions season ticket will see a slight decrease, teams spokesperson Ben Manges said. Last year, the Lions ranked in the bottom quarter of the NFL in average season-ticket price and had the lowest average price in the NFC North at about $103 per game.
Asked what went into the decision to hold prices firm and if it had anything to do with last year’s disappointing 6-10 record, Manges referred all questions to a letter team president Rod Wood sent season-ticket holders.
“A year ago, we introduced Matt Patricia as our new head coach and began a transition that will shape the Detroit Lions for years to come,” Wood wrote in the letter. “In 2018, our win/loss record did not meet the expectations of the Ford Family, our entire staff nor our fans. Nonetheless, I wholeheartedly believe in the direction of our football team.”
More: Lions 2019 schedule: Here is who they will play next season
The Lions, who privately financed a $100 million stadium renovation in 2017, said that more than 57,000 seats in Ford Field will cost the same price in 2019 as they did this season or see a slight discount.
Just 5,099 seats in Ford Field will increase for 2019, and only 1,579 of those will go up by more than $5 per game, according to the information the team sent its ticket holders.
Sections seeing an increase in price are confined to lower-level sideline areas in two price tiers that average $151 and $129 per game. Four price tiers have a slight decrease between $2-$3 a ticket.
The Lions also unveiled a new program to entice season-ticket holders to retain their seats called “Lionsurance.”
Starting in 2019, season-ticket holders who attend at least eight games will be able to apply 50 percent “of the price for unscanned tickets for up to two games towards” 2020 season-ticket renewal.
Wood, in his letter to ticket holders, also touted a “physical toughness” on offense that helped the Lions “establish a competitive running game for the first time in many years,” and a “versatile defense” that improved as the season went on.
“As we build on our formidable defense, we welcome new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and returning special teams coordinator John Bonamego,” Wood wrote in his letter. “Both are well respected throughout the NFL, have a history of success and are strong additions to Coach Patricia’s staff. The experience and pedigree of our coaching staff will be vital this offseason as we develop young players and add veterans in free agency.”
New Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks, but also lost one on a famously ineffective play call.
Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press
The Lions will unveil Bevell and Bonamego for the first time since their hire at a staged event for season-ticket holders Monday.
The Lions’ home schedule for 2019 includes games against fellow NFC North teams the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, plus the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Opinion: Detroit Lions feel far as ever from winning Super Bowl
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Read more on the Detroit Lions and sign up for our Lions newsletter.
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