Detroit Lions team president Rod Wood spoke to reporters on Monday during the NFL’s annual meetings.
Wood, who has been with the Lions since 2015, addressed several topics, including expected new jerseys, the release of cornerback Cam Sutton, ticket prices and more. Here are some of the biggest takeaways.
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Cam Sutton situation
The now former Lions cornerback Cam Sutton was released last week, a few days after police in Florida issued an arrest warrant for a domestic violence charge against him. At the time, Sutton hadn’t turned himself in, and was wanted from two weeks prior.
Surprisingly, Wood said Sutton was in the building in Allen Park when police posted his warrant on social media. He said they talked to Sutton and suggested he get legal counsel and turn himself in to face charges.
“After that we met the rest of the day and the following morning decided to release him,” Wood said. “It was a difficult decision but was the right decision and we’re moving on.”
The Lions signed Sutton to a $33 million, three-year contract a little more than a year ago, targeting him as a key player to acquire last offseason. Sutton started in all 17 regular season games, making a career-high 65 tackles and one interception, and in each of Detroit’s three playoff games.
New Lions jerseys
There’s been much buzz about new Lions jerseys coming this spring. Wood says they’ll be released right before the NFL Draft in Detroit in late April.
The new look will honor the past with a look to the future, Wood said. “I think the fans are going to be really excited about it.”
Wood didn’t say much, other than that the usual colors will be involved, “with a twist.”
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Ticket prices
The Lions decided to raise season ticket prices for next year after a successful 2023-2024 season and playoff run. Some fans weren’t thrilled.
Wood said the Lions ranked 31st in ticket price last year, and the rise was to match the market.
“It’s really where the market is,” Wood said. “We’ve had 96% renewal rate, so nobody has really abandoned their tickets. We still have I think it’s approaching 20,000 people on a wait list. And we’ve been very cautious over the years recently not increasing the prices and have really fallen quite a bit behind the league average and this barely catches us up to just below league average.”
Blown call vs. Cowboys
Remember that? Yeah, me too. The Lions lost on a blown call vs. the Cowboys late last season. Wood says he called Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent the next morning, who was at church.
When Vincent called him back, Wood asked, “Did you pray for better officiating?” Vincent replied, “I always do.”