Roaring Comeback

By Christian Hall, Chuck Leonard, Luke Weinberger, and Shannon Yousefzadeh

Verdict: Mostly true

In February 2024, Spartan News Room published an article with the claim that the Lions playoff run gave an economic boost to the city of Detroit. An economic boost here refers to growth in business activity, increased tourism, job creation, and overall financial activity. This also alludes to indirect social benefits such as enhanced national visibility and civic pride. 

A 2011 study from Coastal Carolina University confirmed that major sports events had a positive effect on local economies. The study states that sports events increase tourism, attract visitors for nationwide events, and provide free marketing for the host city. The Lions’ playoff games fit this model, drawing in both local fans and out-of-town visitors.

Local businesses experienced a direct financial boost. Tara, a manager at Nemo’s Bar, explained that the establishment not only customized their hours, opening early for the tailgaters, but additional companies and bars had an opportunity to capitalize financially due to the high number of people coming to the city during football season.

It is important to acknowledge that some critics argue sports teams do not generate long-term economic benefits. These criticisms often focus on the substantial costs of building and maintaining new stadiums, questioning whether the initial economic boost justifies the investment. 

In the case of Ford Field, constructed in 1999 for $500 million and renovated in 2017 for $100 million, we are not discussing the creation of a new stadium or establishing a new sports team. Instead, increased interest in the Detroit Lions can enhance the return on prior investment by driving revenue growth.

After years of being the underdog, the Detroit Lions are finally roaring, and their success is reverberating far beyond the football field. The team’s resurgence, combined with the city hosting marquee events like the 2024 NFL Draft, proves to be the game-changer that Detroit’s economy needed. 

This isn’t just about wins and touchdowns—it’s about how the Lions’ transformation is driving substantial revenue, revitalizing local businesses, and putting Detroit back on the map as a destination city for business and tourism alike.

Detroit’s story has long been one of resilience in the face of adversity. Once hailed as the heart of America’s automotive industry and a beacon of economic prosperity, the city faced a steep decline in the latter half of the 20th century. 

As auto manufacturing jobs moved overseas or became automated, unemployment surged. Detroit’s population, which peaked at 1.8 million in the 1950s, dwindled to under 640,000 by 2020.

The fallout from this exodus was stark. Abandoned buildings dotted the landscape, public services were strained, and in 2013, Detroit became the largest city in U.S. history to declare bankruptcy. 

These challenges compounded issues of racial inequality and economic disparity, leaving many Detroiters struggling to find hope in a city once synonymous with opportunity.

Ford Field has become one of the loudest stadiums in the league, while fans across the city unite weekly for tailgates, watch parties, and post-game celebrations. The Lions’ rise has not only boosted Detroit's economy, driving tourism and filling local businesses, but it has also become a unifying cultural phenomenon for the city.

This two-year surge has mirrored Detroit’s broader revitalization, providing both economic gains and a renewed sense of pride for its residents. The team’s success has become a catalyst for downtown growth and a symbol of the city’s resilience, proving that the Lions are more than just a football team—they're a beacon of hope. 

Alexandra McKendrick, Director of Marketing at Union Assembly Restaurant, captures this sentiment perfectly: “The Lions are a blue-collar team, and their grit really embodies the people of Detroit. Fans have been waiting to support a winning team, and now that they have one, they are showing up in droves.”

Off-Field Benefits

The Detroit Lions’ recent success has delivered a transformative economic boost to the city, bringing in substantial revenue and revitalizing local businesses. Their historic playoff run last season was a financial windfall, with two home playoff games at Ford Field drawing tens of thousands of fans. Visitors packed hotels, filled restaurants, and shopped at local businesses, generating millions of dollars in direct spending. 

The Lions’ success has also become a lifeline for local establishments. Game days drive record-breaking sales for bars, restaurants, and hotels, while indirectly supporting ride-share services, parking facilities, and merchandise vendors. 

The economic ripple effect extends far beyond the field—watch parties, tailgates, and playoff celebrations sustain activity throughout the season, creating a consistent flow of revenue for the city’s business ecosystem. This sustained activity is invaluable for a city working to rebuild its economic foundation.

Beyond dollars, the Lions’ resurgence has helped rebrand Detroit as a vibrant destination. Events like the NFL Draft showcased the city’s cultural and architectural icons, reshaping its narrative from decline to resilience and progress. This positive exposure not only boosts tourism but attracts further investment, solidifying the Lions as more than a team—they’re a driving force behind Detroit’s ongoing revitalization. 

“The Lions have played a major role in keeping our restaurant packed and in the forefront of downtown Detroit,” McKendrick explained. “We have found ourselves opening earlier than our normal hours and closing later as well. We have found we need to take reservations on Lion's game days, even for early in the morning.”

Game days now drive record-breaking sales for bars, restaurants, and hotels, while indirectly supporting ride-share services, parking facilities, and merchandise vendors. The Lions’ resurgence is about more than fans at Ford Field; it’s also about those gathering at watch parties across the city, seeking vibrant environments with great food and camaraderie. McKendrick said, “It’s not only about the fans that go to the games but the ones who look for watch parties and places with great environments and great food in downtown Detroit to watch the games.”

A Roaring Future

With the start that the Detroit Lions had in the 2024 NFL season, according to ESPN projections, the team had a 99% chance of making the playoffs, an 85% chance of winning the division, a 70% chance of earning the first seed in the NFC, and a 39% chance of going to the Super Bowl. 

All four of these percentages were the highest in the NFL for any team. All signs point to the Lions’ continued success, hosting multiple playoff games, and a potential Super Bowl appearance. This would create more buzz for the team, resulting in additional revenue for the city of Detroit than last year. 

The Lions’ trajectory is a testament to their careful team-building and the unwavering support of their fans. Their resurgence has energized a city that, for decades, had been defined more by its struggles than its triumphs. 

Detroit should leverage the momentum created by the Lions and host a future Super Bowl game. By investing in infrastructure, public safety, and entertainment districts, the city can ensure that visitors drawn to its football team become lifelong fans of not only the team, but the whole of the city.

What’s happening in Detroit extends beyond football. It’s about the resilience of a city reclaiming its narrative, people rediscovering pride in where they come from. From the cheers echoing at Ford Field to the small businesses thriving on game days, the Lions have reignited a spirit of unity and hope that transcends sports. 

For Detroiters, the Lions’ theme of GRIT is more than a saying; it’s a characteristic of a city, portrayed through their football team. Proof that this city and its people have the determination, and heart to rise again.

Detroit Lions boast a legacy that dates back to 1930. Examining the statistics sheds light on how the Detroit Lions contribute to economic success in the city they represent. This data narrative explores key elements such as home game attendance and direct revenue generation through ticket sales to prove how a professional sports team is a significant driver of economic activity.