The WNBA and NBA Board of Governors has officially approved expansion teams in Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia, the WNBA announced Thursday night.
Cleveland will begin play in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030.
The Detroit WNBA ownership group is led by Tom Gores, his wife Holly, and some of the most accomplished women and men in global sports, business, entertainment, media, and finance, according to the league.
The Detroit News reported the ownership group includes Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp and husband Steve, General Motors CEO Mary Barra and her husband, Lions quarterback Jared Goff and wife Christen, former Piston and NBA Hall-of-Famer Grant Hill and wife Tamia, and Fab Five legend Chris Webber, among others.
“This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,” said Detroit Pistons Owner and Platinum Equity Chairman Tom Gores, when the expansion plans were first announced last June. “Today marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition. Detroit played a key role in the league’s early growth, and we’re proud to reignite that legacy as the WNBA ascends to new heights. Our plans will bring new energy, investment and infrastructure to our city and the WNBA, and additional resources to our community.”
The WNBA team will play its games at Little Caesars Arena where the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings play their home games.
The Detroit Shock was one of the first WNBA teams and played at The Palace of Auburn Hills winning three championships, in 2003, 2006 and 2008. The team was sold in 2009.
