It is a Monday morning in mid-November. The air in Southeast Michigan is turning that specific shade of gray that only locals really understand, and the traffic on I-75 is a nightmare. But if you glance at the cars idling in the slush, you see it. People are talking to themselves. Or rather, they are talking to their dashboards. They are yelling, cheering, or sighing in unison because Detroit Lions radio 97.1 The Ticket is blaring through the speakers.
This isn't just a radio station. Honestly, it’s a support group.
For decades, Lions fans lived in a cycle of "Same Old Lions" (SOL) misery. We endured the 0-16 season, the baffling front-office decisions, and the "Calvin Johnson Rule" catch that wasn't a catch. Through all of it, WXYT-FM—better known as 97.1 The Ticket—was the place where that frustration was distilled into high-voltage entertainment. Now that the Dan Campbell era has flipped the script, the station has transformed from a place of mourning into a 50,000-watt celebration.
The Power of the Flagship: More Than Just Play-by-Play
When we talk about Detroit Lions radio 97.1 The Ticket, we have to talk about what it means to be a "flagship." It’s a heavy word in broadcasting. It means this station is the nervous system for the entire Lions radio network. While the games are broadcast on dozens of affiliates across Michigan and into northern Ohio, everything starts at the studios in Southfield.
The partnership isn't just about the three hours on Sunday. It’s about the 165 hours of lead-up and aftermath every single week.
Think about the voice of Dan Miller. If you’ve listened to a game, you know the "Touchdown, Detroit Lions!" call. Miller, who handles the play-by-play, brings a level of professional polish that perfectly balances the raw, unfiltered energy of his color commentator, Lomas Brown. Brown, a former Lions offensive tackle and a member of the Pride of the Lions, provides the kind of insight you only get from a guy who actually spent years in the trenches protecting the quarterback. Together, they create a broadcast that feels like sitting on a porch with your smartest football friends.
The technical side is massive. The Ticket handles the pre-game shows, the "Lions Postgame" shows that often run for hours after the final whistle, and the daily segments where coaches and players call in. You get access that national broadcasts just can't mimic. When Dan Campbell sits down for his weekly hit, he isn't giving generic PR answers. He knows he’s talking to the people who live and breathe this stuff.
The Personalities That Fuel the Conversation
Why do people tune in at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday when there isn't even a game? It’s the hosts.
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The lineup at 97.1 The Ticket is a collection of distinct, often polarizing voices. You have Mike Valenti, who has become a bit of a local legend—or a villain, depending on who you ask. His rants are the stuff of internet history. Remember the 2006 "Mike Valenti MSUrante" about the Spartans? That same energy is applied to the Lions daily. Valenti is the guy who will tell you the truth even when it hurts, and in a town that has been lied to by sports franchises for years, that honesty is worth its weight in gold.
Then you have the morning crew, the midday guys, and the evening hosts. Each show has a different vibe. Some are more analytical, diving into PFF grades and cap space. Others are purely emotional, taking calls from "Tony in Taylor" who thinks the Lions should trade for every superstar in the league.
It’s a chaotic, beautiful ecosystem.
One thing people often get wrong about Detroit Lions radio 97.1 The Ticket is thinking it’s just for the "angry" fan. It’s not. It’s for the invested fan. In the years when the team was struggling, the station was a pressure valve. Now that the Lions are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, the station has become the city's town square. The energy has shifted from "How do we fix this?" to "Can you believe this is actually happening?"
Navigating the Tech: How to Listen in 2026
Funny enough, the biggest question people have isn't about the roster; it's about how to actually hear the broadcast. Technology has made it both easier and somehow more confusing.
If you’re in the Detroit metro area, it’s simple: 97.1 on your FM dial. But radio waves are finicky. Once you start driving toward Lansing or heading up north to the cottage, that signal starts to fuzz out. That’s where the digital side kicks in.
- The Audacy App: This is the primary home for the digital stream. It’s free, but you’ll have to sit through some digital ads.
- The Lions Official App: Usually carries the radio stream, though NFL blackout rules can sometimes get weird depending on your GPS location.
- Smart Speakers: You can literally yell at your kitchen counter to "Play 97.1 The Ticket," and it usually works, provided the Skill is enabled.
One crucial detail: there is often a delay. If you’re trying to listen to the radio while watching the game on TV, the radio is usually 10 to 30 seconds behind. It drives people crazy. There are "radio delay" apps you can download to try and sync the two, but it’s an imperfect science. Most die-hards don't care. They’d rather hear Dan Miller’s excitement 20 seconds late than listen to a national TV announcer who barely knows the names of the Lions' offensive line.
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Why the Radio Experience Beats the TV Broadcast
Television is for the casual observer. Radio is for the obsessive.
When you watch a game on a major network, the announcers are talking to the whole country. They spend half the time explaining who Amon-Ra St. Brown is. On Detroit Lions radio 97.1 The Ticket, they assume you already know the roster, the backup kicker’s stats, and what the head coach had for breakfast.
Radio forces you to use your imagination. When Miller describes the "honolulu blue" jerseys shimmering under the Ford Field lights, or the "deafening roar" of the crowd, it feels more intimate. It’s a shared experience. You aren't just watching a product; you’re part of a community.
And let's talk about the callers. The "Ticket" callers are a breed of their own. They are the pulse of the city. You get the optimists, the doomers, the "football scientists," and the guys who just want to complain about the officiating. It’s authentic Detroit. It’s blue-collar, it’s loud, and it’s fiercely loyal.
The Evolution of Coverage in a Winning Era
Winning changes everything.
In the past, the Monday morning shows on 97.1 were essentially autopsies. The hosts would spend four hours dissecting exactly why the team lost. Now, the tone is different. There is a sophistication to the coverage that wasn't there before. We’re talking about playoff seeding, home-field advantage, and how Brad Holmes is out-drafting the rest of the league.
The station has had to adapt. They’ve brought in more former players and insiders to provide the "why" behind the success. It’s not just "The Lions are good," it’s "The Lions are using 12-personnel in a way that creates mismatches for nickel corners." The audience has gotten smarter, and the station has kept pace.
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How to Get the Most Out of Your Listening Experience
If you’re new to the area or just starting to follow the team, jumping into the world of Detroit Lions radio 97.1 The Ticket can be a lot. It’s fast-paced and high-decibel.
First, don't take everything the hosts say as gospel. Their job is to provoke thought and entertain. If Valenti says something that makes your blood boil, he’s probably doing it on purpose. That’s the "theater" of sports talk radio.
Second, utilize the podcasts. Most of the major shows on The Ticket are clipped into podcast segments. If you missed a specific interview with Jared Goff or a legendary post-game rant, you can find it on the Audacy website or your favorite podcast platform. This is great for fans who don't live in Michigan but still want that local flavor.
Third, pay attention to the "insider" reports. Reporters like Jeff Riger or the various beat writers who frequent the station often have nuggets of information about injuries or locker room vibes that don't make it to the national news cycle until hours later.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Fan
To truly integrate the 97.1 experience into your Lions fandom, follow these steps:
- Download the Audacy App and Favorite the Station: This ensures you have the stream ready to go the moment you leave the house or if you're stuck at work during a draft day special.
- Learn the Schedule: The vibe changes throughout the day. The "Stoney and Jansen" morning show is great for a broad overview, while the afternoon shows tend to get more "opinionated" and heated. Find the window that fits your personality.
- Sync the Radio to Your TV: If you hate the TV announcers, buy a cheap radio delay device or use an app like "Global Tuner" to pause the radio stream until it matches the TV action. It changes the entire game-day experience.
- Follow the Hosts on Social Media: A lot of the context for what happens on the air starts on X (formerly Twitter). Following guys like Jim Costa or Mike Stone will give you the "pre-game" for the actual radio show.
- Listen to the "Best Of" Segments: If you only have 20 minutes, search for the station's "best of" clips. It’s the easiest way to stay in the loop on the local memes and inside jokes that dominate the Detroit sports scene.
The Lions are no longer a punchline, and Detroit Lions radio 97.1 The Ticket has been there for every miserable low and every stratospheric high. Whether you're listening for the expert analysis or just to hear someone scream about a bad holding call, it remains the definitive soundtrack of football in Detroit. Turn it up. The Pride is listening.