The Detroit Shock Legacy and the WNBA’s Potential Return
At one point, Detroit was home to one of the most dominant teams in the WNBA. The Detroit Shock, led by head coach Bill Laimbeer—a legend from the Bad Boy Pistons era—won three WNBA championships in the early 2000s. The team was a powerhouse, bringing excitement and success to women’s professional basketball in the city.
The Controversial Move to Tulsa
In 2009, the franchise relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma—a move widely regarded as a misstep for the WNBA rather than a reflection of Detroit’s support for women’s basketball. The transition to Tulsa struggled to gain traction, and eventually, the team rebranded as the Dallas Wings. Meanwhile, Detroit fans were left without a WNBA team, despite the city’s rich basketball history and deep-rooted passion for the sport.
A Growing Demand for WNBA in Detroit
Over the past few years, the WNBA’s popularity has surged, fueled by increased media coverage, rising talent, and growing fan engagement. With this momentum, calls for the league’s return to Detroit have grown louder. The city has proven its unwavering support for basketball, and many believe it’s only a matter of time before the WNBA brings a team back.
A Powerful Investment Group Leading the Charge
A major push to revive women’s professional basketball in Detroit is now underway, led by an all-star investment group. Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp and her husband, Steve Hamp, have joined forces with Pistons owner Tom Gores and a roster of influential investors to bring a WNBA franchise back to the city.
Among the notable figures backing this initiative are:
- Jared Goff and Christen Goff – Detroit Lions quarterback and his wife
- Grant Hill and Tamia Hill – Former NBA star and celebrated R&B singer
- Mary Barra and Tony Barra – CEO of General Motors and her husband
- Chris Webber – NBA Hall of Famer and Detroit native
- Denise Ilitch – Prominent business leader and member of the Ilitch family
- Larry Brinker Jr. – Detroit-based entrepreneur and investor
- Steve Jbara – Founder of the Grand Rapids Gold
- Andra Rush, Sandy Pierce, Beth Chappell, Mindy Fynke, Suzanne Shank, and others – High-profile business leaders dedicated to revitalizing women’s sports in Detroit
- Sportsology Capital Partners – A firm specializing in sports investments
Why This Time is Different
Unlike the past, Detroit’s current basketball landscape is stronger than ever. The Pistons have a growing young core, the city’s sports culture is thriving, and corporate support for women’s sports has never been higher. With an ownership group this powerful, Detroit’s chances of securing a WNBA franchise look better than ever.
A New Era for Women’s Basketball in Detroit?
Bringing a WNBA team back to Detroit would not only honor the Shock’s legacy but also provide young athletes and fans with a team to rally behind. The city has the history, the infrastructure, and the passionate fanbase needed to make this a success.
With such an influential group backing the effort, it’s no longer a question of if Detroit will get a WNBA team—it’s a question of when.
