Jared Goff, Grant Hill, Chris Webber Headline Group Aiming for Detroit WNBA Return

The Motor City lost its team to relocation in 2009.

Jared Goff on Jan. 30, 2025. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

After nearly two decades without the WNBA in Detroit, a group has assembled with hopes of bringing it back.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Hall of Fame former Detroit Pistons forward Grant Hill, and former Michigan and Pistons forward Chris Webber are part of a group of investors bidding on a WNBA expansion team, the Pistons announced in a Friday afternoon statement.

The group also includes representatives of the Pistons' and Lions' ownership.

"This is an exciting ability to welcome the WNBA back to Detroit and bring additional investment and economic activity into our city," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement.

On behalf of an exceptional ownership group, an expansive coalition of civic and business leaders and an excited fan base that embraced the WNBA for many years, @DetroitPistons Owner Tom Gores submitted on Thursday a formal bid to bring the league back to Detroit. pic.twitter.com/y1klJRmQ0t

— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) January 31, 2025

The Detroit Shock played 12 seasons in the WNBA from 1998 to 2009. They won championships in 2003, '06 and '08 before relocating to Tulsa; that team is now the Dallas Wings.

The move comes a day after Nashville announced its bid for a team, which it intends to name after legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt.

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