Detroit Lions one of two teams excluded from NFL Network’s ‘Inside Training Camp Live’ coverage

If you’re a Detroit Lions fan, you’re likely excited for training camp, which begins on Friday. Many of you are probably attending one of the five open practices over the next couple weeks. However, if you’re unable to make those practices, your eyes may be glued to NFL Network in the hopes of seeing coverage of the Lions. Unfortunately, I have some bad news for you.

Monday afternoon, the NFL published a press release detailing NFL Network’s coverage, and although the release promises “comprehensive coverage of all 32 training camps provided by former players, front office personnel and reporters,” the Detroit Lions are nowhere to be found on that release.

One of the premier features of NFL Network’s coverage is their on-location reporting featured on the program Inside Training Camp Live. The press release gave the schedule for that program, and the coverage includes on-site reporting from every single NFL team...except for the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.

The Lions being snubbed by national media is nothing new and nothing particularly surprising. The Lions have been one of the least-marketable franchises in the NFL for the past few years, and with the loss of Calvin Johnson it will only get worse. The only thing that will garner the Lions franchise more viewership is consistent winning, which Detroit hasn’t managed since the early 90s.

Still, it’s a bit surprising to see the Lions and Bears singled out here. Detroit even has the appeal of having joint practices with one of the NFL’s most popular franchises: the Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL Network will be covering a few joint practices during training camp, but Lions/Steelers doesn’t appear to be one of them.

Be sure to stick with Pride Of Detroit, as we will have writers, editors and even commenters at practice during training camp. NFL Network may be glossing over the Lions this preseason, but we won’t be.