The Lions yesterday announced that they will "have a cheerleading squad this fall for what’s believed to be the first time in the modern history of the team," according to Dave Birkett of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. The squad "will hold tryouts later this month, be introduced in August and be on the sidelines" for the Lions’ Sept. 18 home opener against the Titans. Lions President Rod Wood said, "After thorough consideration and receiving input from our fans through season ticket member surveys and focus groups, we believe that this is an opportunity to elevate our game day entertainment." Though the team has "talked openly about adding cheerleaders for months, and privately held discussions about the concept for years, the current movement started" in '10. The Lions "had long ruled out the possibility of adding a squad despite regular questions about the subject from fans." Wood in the spring said that Lions Owner Martha Ford "was not opposed to adding cheerleaders, as many had long suspected, and that the organization was examining the logistics of how best to employ a team" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/14). ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein noted the Bills, Bears, Packers, Steelers, Browns and Giants "are now the only teams in the league that do not employ cheerleaders." The Bills once had cheerleaders, but a lawsuit in '14 "led to the Buffalo Jills suspending operations" (ESPN.com, 6/13).
