The Detroit Pistons are making a concerted effort to bring professional women's basketball back to the Motor City, expressing interest in a WNBA expansion team. While Detroit is not currently on the WNBA's official list for potential expansion cities, Pistons officials are reportedly proactively engaging with the league to explore opportunities for future inclusion.

Kevin Grigg, the Pistons' Chief Communications Officer, confirmed via email to Jay Davis of Crain’s Detroit Business that the NBA team has had discussions with the WNBA to understand its expansion plans better.

“While nothing is imminent, the prospects of bringing a WNBA team back to Detroit is intriguing and we have interest should they open another round of expansion. We will continue to engage in conversation with the WNBA going forward,” Grigg stated.

League has roots in Detroit

Golden State Warriors co-executive director & chief executive officer Joe Lacob, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Warriors co-executive director Peter Guber pose for a group photo during a press conference to announce an expansion WNBA franchise in the San Francisco Bay Area at Chase Center.
D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit has an existing history with the WNBA through the success of the Detroit Shock. The Shock, one of the league's first expansion teams, debuted in 1998 and quickly became a powerhouse, winning championships in 2003, 2006 and 2008. The team also set a single-game attendance record Sept. 16, 2003, when 22,076 fans filled the arena for Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.

Despite their on-court success, the Shock struggled financially and relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2009. The move marked the end of an era for Detroit's WNBA presence. However, the city's basketball fans have demonstrated a willingness to support women's professional basketball, as evidenced by the more than 160,000 fans who attended Shock games in 2004, the season following their first championship.

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The WNBA is set to expand from 12 to 14 teams, with new franchises in San Francisco and Toronto. League Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has also mentioned other potential expansion locations, including Philadelphia, Denver, Nashville, South Florida and Portland, Oregon. Engelbert aims to have 16 teams in the league by 2028.

Star players driving interest in WNBA expansion

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark pose for photos before the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Interest in the WNBA is surging, fueled by standout players like A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty. These athletes, along with star rookies like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, are drawing more fans to the game. The recent WNBA Draft, which saw a record 2.45 million viewers, underscored the growing popularity and visibility of women's basketball.

In addition to increasing fan engagement, the WNBA is also taking steps this season to improve conditions for its players. The league recently announced a full charter flight program for all teams in partnership with Delta Air Lines, seen as a significant step towards parity with the NBA. Financially, the WNBA is also on the rise, having raised $75 million in capital in February 2022 to enhance several marketing and fan engagement initiatives. The league is now valued at approximately $475 million.

For the Pistons, the return of a WNBA team to Detroit would not only revive a cherished part of the city's sports history but also tap into the growing enthusiasm for women's basketball. The Pistons celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Shock's 2003 championship at a recent game, highlighting the potential for renewed success in Detroit.