Pro Football HOFer Barry Sanders will be back on the Lions' payroll, this time as a "brand ambassador," according to a front-page piece by Justin Rogers of the DETROIT NEWS. Lions President Rod Wood said, "We’ve thankfully, the last couple years, had an unofficial relationship with him. This year, we formalized it. ... He’ll be going on road trips, showing up for suite visits, he’ll be at the Taste of the Lions event, and just interacting with our fans on behalf of the team." He added, "It’s a formal agreement. I worked with Barry and his agent to put something together that works for both of us. It’s not a football role. It’s more of a marketing, business role." Rogers notes the Lions have an "open-door policy with their alumni." Access Group CEO J.B. Bernstein, who reps Sanders, said that the Lions have "long been pursuing an increased post-career role for Sanders." With his children grown, the time was "right to accept the invitation." The agreement between Sanders and the Lions includes an "agreed-upon itinerary of fan- and community-focused events, including at least one appearance at the team’s training camp." The agreement will be "re-evaluated at the end of the season." Bernstein said that he could "see it eventually expanding to the point where Sanders worked in the office" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/21).
