Eminem Looking to Help Bring WNBA Team Back to Detroit
The Women’s National Basketball Association is big business with several parties vying to get a piece of the pie. Thanks to the addition of Caitlin Clark in 2024 the league has skyrocketed, enjoying successful growth in every aspect from increased ticket and merch sales to higher broadcasting viewership. Furthermore, with interest still on the rise, the league desires to continue to move forward with its expansion efforts. And now one iconic artist wants to be a part of the journey… yes, Eminem is looking to help bring a WNBA team back to Detroit.
And yes we do mean BACK. Quick history lesson when it comes to the W. There actually used to be a franchise in the city of Detroit back in the day.
The team was on the scene for about a decade or so before being moved. As Yahoo Sports reminisces, “The Detroit Shock were strong members of the WNBA for more than a decade between 1998 and 2009, before becoming the Tulsa Shock. In that time span, Detroit actually experienced a lot of success, winning three championships (2003, 2006, 2008). The franchise has since moved to Arlington and is known as the Dallas Wings.”
Well, it has been over 15 years, and Detroit would like to end its WNBA drought. Even NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, believes this is a move and decision that needs to happen. Stating on the Pistons official website that Detroit is a city that, “needs to get a WNBA team again.”
Interesting. Plus, it is looking like it can very well happen. Of course, there are other cities hoping to be chosen. But it looks like the Pistons and the city’s other teams would be helping to springboard things and provide instant stability. According to Sportico, on Eminem and basically the whole city coming together,
“The Detroit native [Eminem] is part of a group that has been led by Tom Gores and the Detroit Pistons, [according to one source], who was granted anonymity because the details are private. Others in the group include owners of the Red Wings, Tigers and Lions, marking a city-wide effort to bring a women’s basketball team back to Michigan’s largest city. The group also includes former NBA players Grant Hill and Chris Webber, Lions quarterback Jared Goff, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, sports investor Roger Ehrenberg and Steve Jbara, the founder of the G League team in Grand Rapids. The Detroit WNBA franchise would play at Little Caesars Arena, the $863 million home of the Pistons and Red Wings.
Bids for this ongoing round of expansion were due at the end of January, and the process drew interest from groups both inside the NBA and beyond. More than 10 cities submitted formal bids in advance of the deadline. Including groups in Austin, Charlotte, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Nashville and Philadelphia.
It’s unclear what the Detroit group has offered to pay, but many other groups are discussing expansion fees—cash, not costs committed to the teams—well into the nine figures, sources said. Reps for Eminem and the Pistons didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment.”
Eminem Looking to Help Bring WNBA Team Back to Detroit
As one can see, a Detroit WNBA team would have PLENTY of support. Along with a solid group behind the franchise to ensure its future and long term success. A win-win.
Nonetheless, one thing is also for sure, in business no one invests in something that isn’t making money. Therefore, the WNBA is clearly now on a better financial path and footing. No one wonder so many are getting in on all the ownership action.
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