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Lions Ready To Debut Myriad Upgrades At Ford Field Aimed At Enhancing Fan Experience

The Lions have their home opener Sunday against the Titans, and team officials "promise they've done more to enhance" the fan experience for this year than at any time since Ford Field opened in '02, according to a front-page piece by Frank Witsil of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. New features include "brighter light, crisper sound, faster entrances, special seating, spirited cheerleaders -- and a 200-foot zip line." The Lions also "plan to offer directions on social media to get you to the stadium and also set up special Uber drop off and pickup areas." The team has added "several high-tech walk-through metal detectors to shorten lines" and help fans "get in the stadium faster." Lions Senior VP/Business Development Kelly Kozole said, "Literally, every square inch inside the facility, as well as outside at Pride Plaza, we've made changes or improvements." Witsil notes stadium improvements this year "include 15% brighter LED lights, an improved audio system, restored roof that will last longer and look better, and Honolulu blue end zones." They also added "an official cheerleader squad, which debuts" on Sunday. The Lions also "spent about $500,000 on more than 100 magnetometers, walk-through metal detectors ... and they have added new suite and club entrances." Meanwhile, one thing that "isn’t changing" is WiFi coverage, which for "many fans -- and even the Lions organization -- has been a disappointment." WiFi upgrades "initially cost" about $4M. But the upgrade "never quite worked the way it was expected." Still, the team said that it "plans to fix wireless connectivity, but not in time for the first few games" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/16).

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