By Mmesoma 
After more than a decade away, women’s professional basketball is officially returning to the Motor City — and it’s all thanks to some unlikely champions on the gridiron. The Detroit Lions, one of the NFL’s most passionate and community-driven franchises, have stepped up in a major way to help bring a WNBA expansion team back to the city.
In a historic collaboration announced Friday, the Lions revealed their instrumental role in partnering with business leaders, civic officials, and the WNBA to reestablish a franchise in Detroit, marking the league’s return since the Detroit Shock relocated to Tulsa in 2009.
> “This isn’t just about basketball—it’s about Detroit,” said Lions President Rod Wood. “We believe in this city, we believe in women’s sports, and we’re proud to help make this vision a reality.”
The new WNBA team, which is expected to begin play in 2026, will share a strategic partnership with the Lions that includes marketing, facilities, and community outreach. While the franchise will operate independently, the Lions are providing significant financial and logistical support—something rarely seen in cross-league collaborations.
The WNBA’s decision to return to Detroit reflects the city’s revitalization and growing appetite for professional sports across all levels and genders. With the Lions experiencing a renaissance of their own under head coach Dan Campbell, the timing couldn’t be more fitting.
> “The energy around Detroit sports is electric right now,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “And the Lions have been incredible partners in helping us bring professional women’s basketball back where it belongs.”
Fans will recall that the Detroit Shock were a dominant force in the early 2000s, winning three WNBA championships (2003, 2006, 2008) and cultivating a loyal fan base before relocating. The announcement of a new team has already sparked excitement among former Shock players and local supporters alike.
> “Detroit deserves this,” said former WNBA star and Shock legend Swin Cash. “It’s amazing to see the Lions stepping up for the women’s game.”
The team’s name, branding, and home venue are expected to be announced later this summer. Speculation is already swirling about whether the franchise will adopt a new identity or honor the legacy of the Shock.
For now, the focus remains on celebration and gratitude—especially for the Lions, whose off-field efforts are earning them as much praise as their recent on-field success.
> “We’re all in,” said Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp. “This is bigger than football. It’s about giving back to Detroit and empowering the next generation of athletes and fans.”
With the WNBA’s footprint expanding and Detroit’s sports scene thriving, the return of women’s pro basketball marks a powerful step forward—and the Lions’ muscle is helping pave the way.