The Detroit Lions may be in their offseason lull, but quarterback Jared Goff just gave fans something huge to celebrate. Goff, who’s made Detroit his home since arriving from California, is now taking an even bigger stake in the city’s future by helping bring professional women’s basketball back to the Motor City.
On June 30, the WNBA announced it has approved a new expansion team for Detroit, set to debut in the 2029 season. The ownership group behind the team is star-studded, led by Pistons owner Tom Gores and including Goff, Lions owner Sheila Hamp, NBA legends Grant Hill and Chris Webber, rapper Eminem, and GM CEO Mary Barra. The approval marks Detroit’s first WNBA team since the Detroit Shock left in 2010.
“This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,” Gores told the Detroit Free Press. “We’re proud to reignite Detroit’s championship tradition and bring new energy and investment to our city and the league.”
The new team’s practice facility and headquarters will be built on the Detroit riverfront at the old Uniroyal site, just west of the Belle Isle bridge. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the new franchise will keep the Shock’s history alive, but it hasn’t been decided if the team will use the same name.
The move is part of a broader WNBA expansion. Alongside Detroit’s 2029 team, the league announced new franchises for Cleveland in 2028 and Philadelphia in 2030. Teams in Portland and Toronto are also set to join the league in 2026.
For Detroit, the return of the WNBA marks a major milestone, reviving a city with deep basketball roots and a history of championships on both the NBA and WNBA stages. Goff’s commitment to the city shows he’s here to stay—and he’s ready to make a difference far beyond the football field.
Jared Goff Helps Bring WNBA Back to Detroit in Blockbuster Expansion Deal
