Detroit Investor Group, Led by Grant Hill and Chris Webber, Aims to Bring WNBA Team Back to the D
Detroit is vying for a WNBA team once again, with a powerful investor group spearheaded by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, including two iconic former Pistons players, Grant Hill and Chris Webber. Their bid is part of the league’s expansion efforts, aiming to restore a WNBA presence in the city that was home to the Detroit Shock from 1998 until their departure in 2009. The Shock, which won three championships during its time in Detroit, relocated to Tulsa and later became the Dallas Wings.
“We are thrilled at the prospect of welcoming the WNBA back to Detroit,” said Gores in a statement. “This is a unique opportunity to bring a league that has always had a strong fan base in the city and create a community asset that will foster unity and pride.” The team would play its games at Little Caesars Arena, a venue already well-established in the sports world and ready to support a new franchise.
Backing the bid are a host of prominent figures, including principal owner and chair of the Detroit Lions, Sheila Ford Hamp, and her husband Steve, as well as General Motors CEO Mary Barra and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his wife, Christen. The coalition is joined by local business leaders, civic figures, and a passionate fan base that has long supported the WNBA.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer voiced her strong support for the bid, emphasizing Michigan’s dedication to its sports culture and women’s athletics: “Michiganders are fired up. Our passion for our teams and players is unmatched, and our commitment to our communities remains unwavering.”
This push to bring the WNBA back to Detroit signals the city’s ongoing growth in the sports industry and its evolving role in supporting women’s professional sports. If successful, the return of a WNBA team would be a significant milestone for Detroit’s sports scene, further strengthening the city’s position as a top destination for major sports franchises.
From Pistons to WNBA: Grant Hill and Chris Webber Unite to Restore Detroit’s Basketball Brilliance
