Detroit is making significant strides to bring the WNBA back to the Motor City, spearheaded by a formidable investor group led by Tom Gores, the owner of the NBA's Detroit Pistons and NFL's Detroit Lions. The bid, which was submitted on Thursday and announced the following Friday, boasts several prominent figures including Sheila Ford Hamp and her husband, the principal owners of the Detroit Lions; General Motors CEO Mary Barra; Hall of Famer Grant Hill; Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his wife; and many others.
Gores articulated the vision behind the bid, stating, "For the WNBA, this is home, and our bid... effects a long-hoped-for Detroit homecoming. No city is more prepared to embrace the team as a community asset than Detroit." This sentiment taps deep roots, as the city previously celebrated its beloved WNBA team, the Detroit Shock, which was one of the league's first expansion squads.
The Shock found remarkable success during their time, capturing three WNBA championships between 1998 and 2009. They consistently ranked among the top five teams for attendance, even leading the league for three consecutive years. A memorable high point was set during the 2003 WNBA Finals, where Detroit set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans for Game 3. This rich history emphasizes the community's passion for women's basketball, which the current bid aims to reignite.
Playing at Little Caesars Arena, the proposed new team would inherit the legacy of the Shock. Gores remarked, "Detroit is a sports town... at a time when the WNBA is developing, we have more support than any other franchise. We’re here to rekindle our legacy." Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan have also expressed strong backing for this endeavor, contributing to the momentum.
The proposal isn't limited solely to establishing the team; it also includes ambitious plans for infrastructure. A dedicated practice facility is envisioned, open 24/7, complete with courts, locker rooms, workout spaces, offices, and even a public sports center. "Michiganders are fired up, our passion for our teams is unmatched... and our vision for women's sports is crystal clear," Whitmer declared. This investment not only aims to bolster women's sports but also seeks to drive economic and community engagement.
The WNBA is poised for expansion, preparing to welcome three new teams from Golden State, Portland, and Toronto over the next two seasons, with plans for even more teams potentially added, including Detroit. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has indicated interest in establishing a 16th team by 2028, reflecting the league's commitment to growing its footprint across North America. Cleveland and Nashville have also made bids for franchises, the latter naming their potential team the Tennessee Summit to honor Pat Summitt.
Detroit's reintroduction of the WNBA would symbolize more than just the return of professional women's basketball; it would mean embracing and fostering the rich history of the past. Chris Webber, along with the high-profile backing from Gores, Hill, and Goff, emphasizes the caliber of support behind this proposal, with hopes set high for rekindling the city’s love for women's basketball.
With competition from cities like Tennessee, Houston, and Philadelphia, the success of this bid could represent the beginning of another chapter for women's sports within Detroit. The passion once demonstrated by fans could soon be redirected, opening up opportunities for new rivalries and championship contention.
Fans are optimistic as they await definitive word on the bid, reflecting on the joy the Shock brought to the city. The community is eager for the opportunity to witness the roar of the crowd reverberate within Little Caesars Arena once again, as they embrace the future of women's basketball.
With significant backing and plans for comprehensive facilities, including a center geared toward community involvement, Detroit's ambitious proposal stands poised to play a key role in the WNBA's expansion plans—representing not merely the return of basketball but asserting Detroit’s unwavering love for the sport.