"The "report" was skewed to make it appear that people would be perfectly fine paying even more for tickets. (the report said Lions tix are now $300)"

It's weird, but despite a lot of people saying how strapped they are, the entertainment
cost does not seem to deter them going to the shows. I went to a couple of concerts locally this summer, at a great venue on a lake, and they were both sold out. Money was flowing,
the beer&wine tent had lines formed to get the overpriced drinks. Going to a concert
down in Ann Arbor in November, my friend who organized the trip said anybody who wanted to go had to confirm immediately, as it was going to be sold out quickly ( smaller venue ).
So a lot of us old baby boomers don't appear to be too pinched, yet.

I'd rather watch the Lions on TV than make the trek down there. I do like heading
into the city for a Tigers day game, I like Detroit. Wouldn't want to live in the hustle
and bustle, but it's a fun visit. They've ( Gilbert, Ilitch,etc ) done a good job
rebuilding that area. But you're right, it is expensive. But in my experience, it's
noticeably less expensive than NYC, Boston, Chicago, LA, and SF. The best place I've seen a game was Pittsburgh, great stadium ( nicer than Comerica ) and "reasonable" prices.