Latest news with #TomGores
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WNBA Makes Shocking Announcement Monday
WNBA Makes Shocking Announcement Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The WNBA has enjoyed a terrific run of late, with fan interest and engagement at an all-time high. Now, the league appears poised to further capitalize on its new-found glory. Advertisement Per Doug Feinberg of The Associated Press, the league intends to add five additional teams by 2030 — beyond the two announced in Portland and Toronto for next season, Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia have all paid a $250 million expansion fee to get on the board. The move will bring the league's tally to 18 teams by the start of the next decade. Cleveland is slated to have a WNBA franchise by 2028, Detroit will join it in 2029, and Philadelphia will have its own club by 2030. NBA ownership groups are all involved in these efforts. 'This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,' remarked Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores. '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.' Advertisement Monday's news is a remarkable endorsement of the WNBA, and the fact that a league overflowing with talent can sustain new big markets. This season's expansion Golden State Valkyries represent the 13th franchise in the WNBA currently. The team is 9-7 and is worth $500 million, making it the most valuable brand in women's sports. WNBA commissioner Cathy EngelbertVincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Per Noa Dalzell of SB Nation, other cities across the nation would like to get in business with the NBA, including Austin, Nashville, St. Louis, Charlotte, and Boston. Former 2014 Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams is reportedly behind the Boston effort. Advertisement Related: Caitlin Clark Makes History with WNBA's Big Announcement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WNBA coming back to Detroit: Expansion franchise announced for 2029 season
Professional women's basketball — finally — is returning to the Motor City. Detroit will receive a WNBA expansion team in 2029, the league announced Monday, June 30. The WNBA also is expanding into two other cities with Cleveland receiving a franchise in 2028 followed by Philadelphia in 2030. The league already announced two new teams for 2026: Portland and the Toronto Tempo. The Golden State Valkyries debuted this season. Advertisement The yet-to-be-named team will revive a legacy started by the Detroit Shock, which won three championships as one of the WNBA's initial expansion franchises from 1999-2008. Pistons owner Tom Gores, backed by a large team of high-profile investors, submitted a formal bid for Detroit to receive a new franchise in January. A trademark for Detroit Shock, which had expired after the team moved, was registered to the WNBA on Feb. 4, 2025. The league had applied for trademarks for several former teams' names. Logo for the Detroit WNBA expansion effort. 'This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,' Gores, who will be the controlling owner of the new franchise, said in a statement to the Free Press. 'Today marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition. Advertisement "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.' READ MORE: Detroit WNBA bid: Why did the Detroit Shock leave the city in 2010? The incoming WNBA team will be supported by a new practice facility and headquarters to be built at the former Uniroyal site on the Detroit riverfront, just west of the Belle Isle bridge. The facility also will be utilized as a youth sports academy and multisport complex including basketball and volleyball courts, football, soccer fields and more. Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem, an investor for the new team, said the WNBA practice facility will rival the Pistons' new practice facility in New Center, which opened in 2019. They will play home games at Little Caesars Arena. Advertisement 'Our commitment in our WNBA bid is that we would build something equally good for the women, and that's our commitment and we're well underway on the analysis and planning to have it ready by the start of the season in 2029,' Tellem said. 'This is a huge win. 'I can't understate that. To bring them back, it's gonna create economic opportunity, it's gonna further bring our community together, which it always does around sports, and it's gonna be great for economic development, our restaurants, our hotels, our nightlife downtown, bringing visitors to the city. "Also showcasing all the great things that Detroit is doing, what's happening in Detroit. We couldn't be more excited about this opportunity and 2029 seems like a long way off but it's going to come fast. I just can't wait for when the team takes the court.' The WNBA regular season goes from May-September, with all 13 teams playing 44 games in 2025. The playoffs run through mid-October. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the league's expansion to Detroit comes at a time where they're seeing historic growth in viewership, attendance and merchandise sales. The WNBA will have 18 teams after its latest expansion round concludes in 2030. She also highlighted Detroit's documented support for women's basketball in the past. Advertisement During the Shock's championship run, they were top three in attendance for five consecutive seasons and No. 1 for three straight seasons. Detroit Shock forwards Swin Cash, left, and Cheryl Ford try to contain their joy in the final seconds of the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at the WNBA Finals on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003, at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Swin Cash, Cheryl Ford and Deanna Nolan were among the stars who helped to lead the Shock to titles in 2003, 2006 and 2008. They were coached by former Pistons legend Bill Laimbeer from 2002-09, with Rick Mahorn taking over during the final season before the team departed Detroit for Tulsa ahead of the 2010 season. Today, the Shock are known as the Dallas Wings. It's not yet clear if the yet-to-be-named Detroit WNBA team will reclaim the "Shock" name. But the history will remain intact, Engelbert said. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert talks to the media before the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards, April 14, 2025 in New York. 'Detroit won three championships in six years when they were previously part of The W, and it's been an integral part of the history of The W,' Engelbert said. 'This next chapter will be new and refreshed and will be something special.' Advertisement CELEBRATION: 2003 WNBA champion Detroit Shock: 'We were selfless' The investors backing the effort include Jared Goff, Grant Hill, Chris Webber, Lions principal owner Sheila Hamp and her husband Steve, General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra and her husband Tony, legendary recording artist Eminem and many others. 'We have brought together an impressive array of investors who reflect the strength and diversity of Detroit,' Gores said. 'I'm excited about what we can accomplish together to advance women's professional sports and inspire a new generation of fans. I'm grateful to our exceptional investor group, Commissioner Engelbert, and the WNBA for their trust in our vision and commitment to the people of Detroit.' Submit a letter to the editor at and we may publish it online or in print. Advertisement Follow the Detroit Free Press on Instagram (@detroitfreepress), TikTok (@detroitfreepress), YouTube (@DetroitFreePress), X (@freep), and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook (@detroitfreepress). This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit WNBA expansion team: What we know about franchise return
Axios
30-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
WNBA returns to Detroit in 2029
The WNBA is coming back to Detroit in 2029 as part of a three-team expansion plan the league announced Monday morning. Why it matters: The arrival of a new WNBA franchise is a major victory for the local economy and will boost Detroit's reputation as a premier American sports city. What they're saying:"The demand for women's basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family," league commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. "This historic expansion is a powerful reflection of our league's extraordinary momentum, the depth of talent across the game, and the surging demand for investment in women's professional basketball." State of play: Pistons owner Tom Gores and his wife, Holly, lead Detroit's WNBA ownership group. Each new team paid a $250 million expansion fee, about five times what Golden State paid ahead of joining the league this season, per the AP. The team will play home games at Little Caesars Arena while a new practice facility and team headquarters is planned for the riverfront's former Uniroyal site, west of Belle Isle, the Free Press reports. "This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA," Gores said in a statement. "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." Flashback: The Detroit Shock won three WNBA championships (2003, 2006 and 2008) while playing here from 1998-2009 before moving to Tulsa. Between the lines: The WNBA's expansion to 18 teams comes as the league surges in popularity behind young superstars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers. Cleveland and Philadelphia were also awarded teams Monday. Detroit billionaire Dan Gilbert's Rock Entertainment Group will own the franchise in Cleveland, where he already owns the NBA's Cavaliers. The other side: Many other cities bid on a team and missed out, including St. Louis, Houston and Miami.
New York Post
30-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
WNBA expanding to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia by 2030
The WNBA is expanding to 18 teams over the next five years, with Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia all set to join the league by 2030. Cleveland will begin play in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia the season after, assuming they get approval from the NBA and WNBA Board of Governors. Toronto and Portland will enter the league next year. 5 The WNBA is expanding in 2030. NBAE via Getty Images 'The demand for women's basketball has never been higher, and we are thrilled to welcome Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia to the WNBA family,' WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. 'This historic expansion is a powerful reflection of our league's extraordinary momentum, the depth of talent across the game, and the surging demand for investment in women's professional basketball.' All three new teams announced Monday have NBA ownership groups. Each paid a $250 million expansion fee, which is about five times as much as Golden State dished out for a team a few years ago. All three teams will also be investing more money through building practice facilities and other such amenities. 5 Commissionner Cathy Engelbert speaks during the 2025 WNBA Draft on April 14, 2025 at The Shed in New York, New York. NBAE via Getty Images 'It's such a natural fit that when you already have this basketball-related infrastructure, these strategies, cultures that you find to be successful, combinations of personnel that you find to be successful,' said Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group and the Cavaliers. 'Extending that into the WNBA, is just a natural next progression, especially if you have a desire to grow like we do.' Both Cleveland and Detroit had WNBA teams in the past, and Philadelphia was the home for an ABL team. 'This is a huge win for Detroit and the WNBA,' Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores said. '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.' Detroit sports stars Grant Hill, Chris Webber and Jared Goff will have minority ownership stakes in the team. The Cleveland and Detroit ownership groups said the Rockers and Shock — the names of the previous teams — would be considered, but they'd do their due diligence before deciding on what the franchises will be called. 5 Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores looks on in the second half against the New York Knicks during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images 'Rockers will be a part of the mix for sure, but we are at this point, we're not going to commit to a brand identity because we want to really get into it with our fans, do some research, be very thorough and thoughtful in that process,' Barlage said. The Detroit and Cleveland teams will play at the NBA arenas that currently exist, while Philadelphia is planning on a new building that will be completed hopefully by 2030. 'We tell the city it's going to open in 2031. We're hoping for 2030,' said Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Managing Partner and co-founder Josh Harris, who owns the 76ers. 'So we're trying to underpromise and overdeliver. But, right now it's 2031, so that we have a year gap, you know. We've got the Xfinity center, the Wells Fargo, they'll play there.' Adding these three teams will give the league more natural rivalries with another team on the East Coast and Detroit and Cleveland near each other. 5 Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris celebrates with Ricky Council IV #16 in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images 'I think there's some great historical rivalries in the NBA among these cities and, I think that will carry over to the WNBA,' Detroit Pistons vice president Arn Tellem said. 'I would love nothing more to have a rivalry like we do in the NBA with Cleveland and Indiana, Philadelphia and New York and all these great cities and, and I think we will.' Other cities that bid on teams that didn't get them include St. Louis; Kansas City, Mo.; Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tenn.; Houston; Miami; Denver; and Charlotte, N.C. 'We didn't know the demand would be where the demand ended up when we ran the process last fall into the winter,' Engelbert said. 'Given the very high demand and supply, we wanted to evaluate, too, because we're very careful about, you know, making sure we're balancing the number of roster spots, the number of teams. 5 The Golden State Valkyries just joined the WNBA this season as the 13th team in the league. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images 'But one thing I'm very struck by as we get into a new media deal, as the media market evolves, you know, being in these three big basketball cities is going to help from a media perspective, a corporate partners perspective.' All the metrics, such as attendance, television ratings and sponsorships, have been on the rise the last few seasons. 'You're seeing the key performance indicators around the business, but then also just the communal impact of having a women's professional sports team,' Barlage said. 'The largest growing segment of our Cavs youth academy, which serves 60,000 kids across the state of Ohio and upstate New York, the fastest growing segment is girls. You know, it's growing at a 30% clip year over year in participation rates. And so for us to be able to create role models, to be able to create symbols of progress, to create having ambassadors within the community representing all of these things.'
National Post
30-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia are set to join the WNBA as expansion franchises starting in 2028
Article content A look at the three expansion teams that the WNBA is adding over the next few years: Article content Cleveland Article content Article content First year of play: 2028. Article content Majority ownership group: Dan Gilbert, who owns the Cleveland Cavaliers. Where they'll play: Rocket Arena, home of the Cavaliers. Article content Practice facility: Retrofit a facility in Independence, Ohio, that is currently used by the Cavaliers. Article content What they're saying: 'They're a ready-made operation, arena, demographic, the psychographic, all the data, those numbers,' WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. 'I'm a data geek. All the data we've been looking at as it relates to what would make a successful franchise and obviously look no further than what we already did in the Bay Area.' Article content Article content Detroit Article content First year of play: 2029. Article content Majority ownership group: Tom Gores, who owns the Detroit Pistons. Article content Minority owners: Grant Hill, Chris Webber, Jared Goff. Where they'll play: Little Caesars Arena, home of the Pistons. Article content Practice facility: Building a new facility. Article content What they're saying: 'I think this will be bigger than just the basketball team coming back. It's recognition of all the things that are happening in the city. And finally, I think it's going to have a real economic impact,' Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem said. Article content Philadelphia Article content Majority ownership group: Josh Harris, who owns the Philadelphia 76ers. Where they'll play: A new arena being built in downtown Philadelphia. Article content Practice facility: The 76ers have a practice facility in Camden, New Jersey. Article content What they're saying: 'Philly fans are passionate, they are full on. They hold you accountable and they hold everyone accountable, the players, the team, the ownership and, you know, we embrace that and embrace them,' said Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Managing Partner and co-founder Josh Harris, who owns the 76ers. 'There's a lot of names who've come out of Philly women's and men's basketball, and there are a lot of girls playing basketball in Philly right now and this is something that needed to happen.' Article content
