The sports momentum in Detroit continues to roll as the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced the Motor City and its ownership group led by Tom and Holly Gores have been awarded an expansion franchise, slated to join the league in competition beginning in 2029.
The new team’s name and colors will be revealed at a later date, according to officials.
“This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,” says Tom Gores, owner of the Detroit Pistons, who led the WNBA bid and will be the controlling owner of the new franchise. “Today marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition.
“Detroit played a key role in the league’s early growth, and we’re proud to reignite that legacy as the WNBA ascends to new heights. Our plans will bring new energy, investment and infrastructure to our city and the WNBA, and additional resources to our community.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert lauded Detroit’s commitment to advancing the growth of the WNBA and how the new team will impact the community.
“Detroit’s legacy in basketball runs deep and today marks the start of an exciting new chapter,” says Engelbert. “We’re proud to return to a city that was once home to one of the most successful teams in WNBA history — and even more excited for the role Detroit will play in shaping the league’s future.
“The Motor City embodies everything the WNBA stands for — passion, perseverance, and the power of sport to drive change. We’re grateful to Tom Gores and his team for their vision, passion, and commitment to building something special.”
Plans for the WNBA team include a comprehensive facilities strategy that will utilize a combination of new and current facilities to service the team, its players, and the community:
- The team will play its games at Little Caesars Arena, bringing another 22-plus sporting events to the city each year and delivering additional economic impact to the restaurants and small businesses in the downtown area.
- A new dedicated WNBA practice facility and team headquarters will be constructed to allow for around-the-clock training and amenities for players and coaches. The facility will include state-of-the-art designated courts, locker room, workout facilities, and office and lounge space.
- The development also will include a publicly accessible sports center that will support the formation and creation of a youth development academy. The academy will promote youth sports and address the lack of access and equity among youth sports facilities in Detroit. The vision is to build a transformative community destination that will service the new franchise and include public-facing youth basketball courts, volleyball courts and multi-purpose fields for soccer, football and lacrosse, complete with spectator seating.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says he has committed to partnering with the ownership group to develop the new campus in a central location for Detroit residents.
“Today’s announcement by the WNBA is a big win for Detroit and further solidifies its role as one of the greatest sports towns anywhere,” says Duggan. “We are ready to once again embrace women’s professional basketball and fully support the vision to bring transformative new facilities and a youth sports academy that will impact Detroit youth for generations to come.”
The Gores-led ownership group comprises a diverse group of equity investors, from sports, business, entertainment, media, and finance.
“We have brought together an impressive array of investors who reflect the strength and diversity of Detroit,” says Gores. “I’m excited about what we can accomplish together to advance women’s professional sports and inspire a new generation of fans. I’m grateful to our exceptional investor group, Commissioner Engelbert, and the WNBA for their trust in our vision and commitment to the people of Detroit.”
Ilitch Cos. CEO Chris Ilitch, in whose arena the new Detroit WNBA team will play, says, “Momentum and interest surrounding women’s sports has never been stronger, and we’re proud to host a WNBA team at Little Caesars Arena. Bringing a WNBA team to Detroit is a huge win for the city and fans across the region. This team will join an incredibly diverse lineup of sports and entertainment offered at Little Caesars Arena, and we look forward to the lively atmosphere it will create for our venue and the community.”
The Detroit Shock were one of the first expansion teams in the WNBA, established in 1996. From 1998 to 2009, the Shock won three titles, was in the top five in attendance for five straight seasons, No. 1 in attendance for three straight seasons, and set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals.
For more information on WNBA Detroit, visit detroitwnba.com.
 today announced the Motor City and its ownership group led by Tom and Holly Gores have been awarded an expansion franchise, slated to join the league in competition beginning in 2029.){kind=link}