Jemele Hill Hails WNBA’s Return to Detroit as a Victory for the City and Its Basketball Legacy
Detroit native Jemele Hill has long been a fierce advocate for her hometown — and Monday’s announcement of the WNBA expanding back to Detroit struck a deeply personal chord for her.
The WNBA revealed it will add three new franchises over the coming years: Cleveland in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030. For Hill, the decision to bring the league back to Detroit is more than just a sports headline — it’s a powerful moment of justice and renewal for a city she believes has been overlooked for too long.
“It is just so incredibly meaningful that Detroit is getting its WNBA team back,” Hill wrote. “This is not only continuing the momentum of Detroit’s overall resurgence, but it will allow the Shock to take its rightful place and continue a proud tradition.”
Detroit’s previous WNBA team, the Shock, was a true powerhouse. Coached by Bad Boy Pistons legend Bill Laimbeer, the Shock captured three championships in six years (2003, 2006, 2008) before the franchise was abruptly relocated to Tulsa in 2009. Though the Shock name technically lived on, the move severed the team’s connection to Detroit, its fans, and its rich basketball history.
Hill called the Shock “the most disrespected dynasty in WNBA history” and celebrated the opportunity to restore the team’s legacy in the Motor City.
The return of the WNBA to Detroit comes as part of a broader expansion for the league, which will also launch new teams in Portland and Toronto in 2026, followed by Cleveland and Philadelphia. While the WNBA has yet to confirm whether Detroit’s team will reclaim the Shock name, Hill and many Detroit basketball fans are hopeful the city’s storied WNBA history will be honored.
For Hill, the announcement isn’t just about basketball — it’s a symbol of Detroit’s resilience, growth, and rightful place in the sports world.
Jemele Hill Celebrates Shock’s Return: ‘A Proud Tradition Restored’ in Detroit
