With the NFL lockout entering its third month, the Lions have implemented two-week furloughs for employees, the *Detroit News* reported Monday.
"While we have made some adjustments to our business operation due to the current labor situation, we are not going to comment specifically about those changes," the team said.
In a March conference call, Lions president Tom Lewand said the team "has plans in place for some changes that will occur" if the labor situation extended beyond the NFL draft in April. Lewand said at the time that any furloughs for Lions employees would include himself, general manager Martin Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz.
The News reported that the furloughs will not be taken at the same time and are being staggered.
The Lions are only one of many teams to institute changes because of the lockout. South Florida newspapers reported last week that Miami Dolphins employees would have their salaries cut by as much as 20 percent. ESPN cited league sources last week in reporting that all Baltimore Ravens employees received a 25 percent pay reduction after the lockout began, and non-contract Arizona Cardinals employees would be sent on one-week forced furlough.
The Buffalo Bills in March announced pay cuts that could be as much as 25 percent, and about 100 New York Jets employees must take off one unpaid week per month. The Oakland Raiders have implemented a plan that allows people to keep their full salaries if they sell a certain number of season tickets. The Charlotte Observer reported in March that as many as seven other teams also have initiated pay cuts or unpaid furloughs.
However, several other teams, including the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants have said they won't impose such measures.
Lions players held informal workouts last week and and plan to get together again June 6 in suburban Detroit.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
