Detroit’s long-awaited return to the WNBA is official. The league announced it will expand to 18 teams, with Detroit, Philadelphia, and Cleveland each getting new franchises. Detroit’s team is set to tip off in 2029.
The Motor City’s new WNBA squad is backed by a star-studded investor group led by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores. In a statement, Gores called it “a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,” promising that the project will “bring new energy, investment, and infrastructure” to the city.
“This marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots,” Gores added. “We’re proud to reignite that legacy as the WNBA ascends to new heights.”
Rap icon Eminem, a Detroit native and vocal supporter of the city’s sports teams, is also part of the ownership group. The hip-hop legend has become a fixture at Detroit sporting events in recent years, supporting the Lions during their playoff runs and appearing at the NFL Draft in the city. Eminem joins a lineup of Detroit sports and business figures investing in the team, including Lions quarterback Jared Goff and NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill.
The WNBA’s return to Detroit revives memories of the Detroit Shock, who won three league championships before relocating in 2009. With Eminem and company at the helm, fans are eager to see women’s basketball thrive once again in the Motor City.
Eminem’s Detroit-Based WNBA Team Officially Approved, Set for 2029 Launch
