By Sunday 
High-profile investors rally to revive women’s basketball in the Motor City
Detroit could soon welcome back professional women’s basketball, thanks to a bid led by an influential group of investors—including General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, and Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp. If approved, the new WNBA team would take the court at Little Caesars Arena, bringing the league back to a city that once embraced the Detroit Shock.
A Powerhouse Investment Group
The bid, spearheaded by Tom and Holly Gores, has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile names involved. In addition to Barra and Hamp, the group includes Crain Communications CEO KC Crain, NBA legends Grant Hill and Chris Webber, and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.
Gores emphasized the impact this move could have on the city, stating, “This is an exciting opportunity to welcome the WNBA back to Detroit and bring additional investment and economic activity into the city.” He also called it “an unprecedented opportunity for the league to come full circle and effect a long-hoped-for Detroit homecoming.”
A Look Back at Detroit’s WNBA Legacy
Detroit was once home to the Detroit Shock, a franchise that set attendance records and claimed three WNBA championships before an unexpected relocation in 2009. The team moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in a controversial decision that ultimately didn’t last—eventually rebranding as the Dallas Wings.
Now, with the potential return of a WNBA franchise, Detroit fans could once again rally behind a hometown team.
New Arena, New Opportunities
If the bid is successful, the team would play at Little Caesars Arena, sharing the venue with the Pistons and Red Wings. However, plans extend beyond just a game-day experience. The proposal includes the development of a dedicated practice facility and team headquarters, featuring state-of-the-art courts, locker rooms, and training areas.
Additionally, the bid outlines a community-focused sports complex, including a youth development academy and public basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, and lacrosse facilities. This initiative aims to expand athletic opportunities for young players across Detroit.
What Comes Next?
The bid now rests in the hands of the WNBA’s decision-makers. With strong financial backing and a compelling vision for both professional and youth basketball in Detroit, the proposal stands as one of the most promising expansion efforts in recent league history.
Should the league approve the move, Detroit could once again become a key city in women’s professional basketball—this time, with some of the biggest names in business and sports behind it.