Tom Gores Leads Investor Group Bidding to Bring WNBA Team to Detroit

Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores is leading an investor group that includes some of the biggest names in local sports and business in an effort to bring the WNBA to Detroit.
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Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores is working to bring a WNBA franchise back to Detroit. The Detroit Shock (pictured) played between 1998 and 2009 at the former Palace of Auburn Hills, winning three league championships. // Photo courtesy of WNBA

Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores is leading an investor group that includes some of the biggest names in local sports and business in an effort to bring the WNBA to Detroit.

The Detroit Shock played at the Palace of Auburn Hills between 1998 to 2009, winning three league championships, was in the top five in attendance for five straight seasons, and No. 1 in attendance for three straight seasons. The team set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals.

“This is an exciting opportunity to welcome the WNBA back to Detroit and bring additional investment and economic activity into the city,” Gores says. “For the WNBA this is home, and our bid represents an unprecedented opportunity for the league to come full circle and effect a long-hoped-for Detroit homecoming. No city is more prepared to embrace the team as a community asset that drives unity and common ground.”

The rest of the investment group includes Principal Owner and Chair of the Detroit Lions Sheila Ford Hamp and her husband, Steve Hamp, chairman of the Michigan Education Excellence Foundation and New Economy Initiative; Chair and CEO of General Motors Co. Mary Barra and her husband, Tony; former Piston Rookie of the Year and Hall of Famer Grant Hill, and his wife, Tamia, a Grammy- nominated recording artist; former Piston/U-M Fab Five member/Hall of Famer and Detroit native Chris Webber; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his wife, Christen; Pistons Vice Chairman Arn Tellem and his wife, Nancy, and others.

“I’ve always believed in the power of partnership,” Gores says. “The foundation of a successful sports franchise starts with ownership, and I’m honored to be joined by so many influential and important leaders offering their investment and expertise in ensuring our future success. I’m also pleased with the broader partnerships we’re already putting together around this bid. I’m excited for what we can achieve together in building a winner on the court and in the community.”

The bid also has the support of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.

The WNBA bid includes a comprehensive facilities plan that will utilize a combination of new and current facilities to service the team, its players, and the community.

The plan includes constructing a new dedicated WNBA practice facility and team headquarters to allow for around-the-clock training and amenities for players and coaches, which the league has highlighted as a priority. The facility will include state-of-the-art designated courts, locker room, workout facilities, and office and lounge space.

To embed the team in the community, the development also will include a publicly accessible sports center that would 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 is a sports town that loves its teams deeply and consistently shows up with unwavering passion,” Gores says. “At a critical moment in the growth and development of the WNBA, it supported the hometown team more than any other franchise in the league. We’re here to rekindle that legacy.”

The full list of investors in the WNBA bid includes:

  • Tom and Holly Gores
  • Grant and Tamia Hill
  • Sheila Ford Hamp and Steve Hamp
  • Mary and Tony Barra
  • Arn and Nancy Tellem
  • Chris Webber
  • Jared and Christen Goff
  • Roger and Carin Ehrenberg
  • Ethan and Gretchen Davidson
  • Denise Ilitch
  • KC and Ashley Crain
  • Larry Brinker Jr
  • Andra Rush
  • Sandy and Tom Pierce
  • Steve Jbara
  • Beth Chappell
  • Mindi Fynke
  • Suzanne Shank
  • Ma􏰀hew and Karen Cullen
  • Sportsology Capital Partners

In Related News: The Detroit Pistons and Comerica Bank announced a collaboration, SHOP313 Pop-Up Shops presented by Comerica, that will showcase 28 Michigan-based small businesses during the 2024-25 NBA season.

Participating businesses will get an opportunity to amplify their brand to a wide audience with resources provided by the Pistons, including exposure at Little Caesars Arena and promotion through the team’s website and social media channels.

SHOP313 Pop-Up Shops presented by Comerica continues to expand on both organizations’ ongoing commitment to support, highlight, and elevate the small business ecosystem that remains vital in driving the Metro Detroit and statewide economy. This is the second year Comerica and the Pistons have teamed up to support small businesses.

 “The Detroit Pistons SHOP313 Small Business Platform recognizes the value and importance of small businesses in our community,” says Dave Sanabria, vice president of partnership engagement for the Detroit Pistons “Our partnership with Comerica Bank delivers unique opportunities to help small businesses grow and positively impact their own local neighborhoods and communities.”

During each designated game, seven Comerica Bank small business customers will participate. Six businesses that are focused on growing direct customer engagement will be able to take advantage of the SHOP313 Pop-Up Shops area in the UWM District Market concourse to promote their brand. And one small business will receive suite access, providing them a business-to-business networking environment for clients and prospects.

The first seven small businesses supported by the SHOP313 Pop-Up Shops presented by Comerica, include: Dynamic Roofing (Carleton), Happy Deals (Detroit), Rev’d Up Fun (Woodhaven), SkinbarVII (Detroit), Suburban Truck Driving School (Romulus), The Alexis Co. (Detroit), and NYX Cleaning Services (Ann Arbor).

The next three SHOP313 Pop-Up Shops games are:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 26 vs. Boston Celtics
  • Tuesday, March 11 vs. Washington Wizards
  • Friday, April 11 vs. Milwaukee Bucks