If you are ever in Downtown Detroit for a big sporting event, you'll notice that the Renaissance Center usually has the logo of the Detroit team displayed on its LED sign. It also usually has the colors of the team displayed on the LED ribbon that goes around the top of the building, and the RenCen was hoping to put the Lions logo and colors on the LED sign for the Monday night game against the Bears.
During the Red Wings' latest playoff run, its logo and colors adorned the LED sign, and the Tigers' logo is currently being featured on it with them in the playoffs. You won't ever see a Lions logo on the RenCen, though. The Lions declined to give GM, the owner of the building, permission to use the logo. This isn't too surprising considering GM and Ford are fierce competitors.
The Lions said in a statement Monday: "We have a tremendous and exclusive relationship with Ford Motor Company that precludes our logo being used by any other automotive manufacturer in any manner."
Instead of a Lions logo, the RenCen will display ESPN's logo for Monday Night Football.