Exploring a series of behind-the-scenes investments that have contributed to Lions' cultural turnaround

Allen Park — The locker room at the Detroit Lions’ practice facility was undeniably outdated.

The wooden stalls lacked the modern bells and whistles professional athletes have grown to expect. The middle of the room was reminiscent of a common area at a frat house, featuring a Ping-Pong table, a pool table, a cornhole set, a large dry-erase board, a standalone Bluetooth speaker, a disc golf basket, a small table for playing cards, a few flatscreen TVs, some lounge chairs, and a beanbag.

And while space has long been an issue, that inadequacy was driven home each season when mid-season injury replacements were assigned lockers in a no man’s land near the entrance, as opposed to with their respective position groups.

So when ownership presented a number of options to the players for reinvestment this offseason, it’s no surprise the locker room won out.