DETROIT — The WNBA could be on its way back to Detroit.

An investment group, led by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and including Detroit Lions principal owner Sheila Hamp and General Motors CEO Mary Barra, submitted a formal expansion bid on Thursday for a WNBA franchise.

The Detroit Shock was one of the first expansion teams after the women's basketball league was established in 1996. In its 12-year existence, the Shock captured three WNBA titles and was in the top five in attendance for five consecutive years.

The idea of bringing the WNBA back to Detroit began with a discussion that Gores had with Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem, building on their belief in women's sports and its growth over the years.

“This is an exciting opportunity to welcome the WNBA back to Detroit and bring additional investment and economic activity into the city,” Gores said in a statement. “For the WNBA, this is home, and our bid represents an unprecedented opportunity for the league to come full circle and effect a long-hoped-for Detroit homecoming. No city is more prepared to embrace the team as a community asset that drives unity and common ground.”

Other equity investors include NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill and his wife, Tamia, along with NBA Hall of Famer Chris Webber; Jared Goff and his wife, Christen; Roger and Carin Ehrenberg; Ethan and Gretchen Davidson; Denise Ilitch, KC and Ashley Crain; and Larry Brinker Jr.

The WNBA announced last year that it plans to expand to 16 teams by 2028. With 12 teams currently, the league will add the Golden State Valkyries franchise in 2025, along with new teams in Portland and Toronto in 2026. That leaves likely just one spot available, where Detroit could make its mark.

Other cities in consideration could include Nashville, Tenn., Kansas City, Mo., St. Louis, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Houston.

Several cities, some without NBA franchises, have submitted bids to the league. However, Tellem believes Detroit has a good chance because it is willing to fulfill the league's priority of providing a preeminent facility.

The new WNBA team would play its home games at Little Caesars Arena. However, the plan is to construct a new dedicated WNBA practice facility and team headquarters that will provide around-the-clock training and amenities for players and coaches. The new facility will also include state-of-the-art designated courts, locker room, workout facilities and office and lounge space.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says that her administration fully supports the bid and “stands ready to support this franchise’s success.” Whitmer had a brief high basketball career during her high school days at Forest Hills Central.

“Michiganders are fired up,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Our passion for our teams and players is unmatched, our commitment to our communities remains unwavering, and our vision for women’s sports is crystal clear. My administration stands ready to support this franchise’s success.”

The expansion bid could mark a Detroit homecoming for the WNBA.

Headlined by basketball Hall of Famer Swin Cash, the Shock established themselves as one of the most prominent teams in league history by winning three WNBA championships in 2003, '06 and '08.

They were among the top five in attendance and No. 1 in attendance for three straight seasons. During Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals, the Shock set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans. Detroit earned its first championship title in franchise history by defeating the Los Angeles Spark, 2-1, and Ruth Riley earned Finals MVP honors.

“We know the franchise will be a resounding success if we could get the franchise here,” Tellem said. “We are determined — and all of our co-investors are determined to put our best foot forward. To go through this process, that is what we will do. We are all-in, and we are in it to win it.”

Gores said that while the bid's impressive array of equity investors is the foundation, and would also propel the WNBA’s Detroit homecoming — and private-sector partnerships that reflect deep community support.

“Having a WNBA franchise in Detroit not only would add to the growing list of professional sports teams playing in the city, it also would bring a state-of-the-art practice facility and support the creation of a youth sports academy for Detroit's young people and their families," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement by the Pistons.

“Tom Gores and Arn Tellem have built a powerful ownership group of sports and business leaders who are fantastic community partners and will bring another world-class experience to our city.”

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