The Lions yesterday announced a new partnership with MGM Grand Detroit and an almost $2M renovation to Ford Field that "will give some fans an up-close view of players entering and exiting the locker room," according to Dave Birkett of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. Dubbed the "Tunnel Club," the Lions "are selling 70 field-level seats near the west (tunnel-side) end zone that includes access to a new luxury club area being built in the bowels of Ford Field." The club "includes an exclusive lounge and unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverage selection, and abuts one of the two tunnels that lead from the field to the Lions locker room." Lions VP/Partnerships Wade Martin said that stadium seating "is planned for the open-air side of the club, which does not have views of the playing field." He added that the field-level seats, unlike field-level suites in newer stadiums like AT&T Stadium and MetLife Stadium, "will have an unobstructed view of the field." Membership "is $9,500, and seats will be sold in groups of two ($19,000) or four ($38,000)." Martin said that the Tunnel Club "was born out of ongoing talks the Lions have had with MGM Grand about broadening their partnership, and that the casino is 'the best in the biz' at creating an exclusive experience like the one the Lions are trying to give season-ticket holders" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/27). In Detroit, Josh Katzenstein reports the west end zone's lower bowl "will be extended to add field level seating for Tunnel Club members." There "will be bleacher-style seats where fans can look through glass to see the players." Martin said that the Lions "are funding the project," which will cost between $1.5-2M. Construction "began a few weeks ago, and the new area should be open by the Lions' first preseason game on Aug. 13" (DETROIT NEWS, 5/27). MGM Grand Detroit "has signed a 10-year deal to sponsor the club, which will have an entrance next to the team store on the west end of the stadium concourse" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 5/26).
