Detroit wins WNBA expansion bid. Why did Detroit Shock leave and why is league expanding?
The Pistons became one of three ownership groups Monday, June 30, to be awarded WNBA expansion teams along with Cleveland and Philadelphia.
Cleveland starts in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia in 2030. That will complete a six-team expansion that began in 2025 (Golden State Valkyries) and will continue in 2026 (Portland and the Toronto Tempo).
Why did the WNBA − which was stuck at 12 teams for the past 16 seasons − expand so quickly? In the past five years, the league has gained the stability it has been seeking since it debuted 28 years ago in 1997. And it now has a new TV contract that gives the WNBA more exposure than ever.
It doesn't hurt the league has Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, the sensational second-year star guard who helped fill arenas throughout this season and last. But the recent growth started before she entered the league.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark advances the ball while guarded by Seattle Storm guard Erica Wheeler during the second half at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, June 24, 2025.
Let's look at all the factors that brought the WNBA back to Detroit.
Did Detroit have a WNBA team previously?
They quickly were embraced by Southeast Michigan, drawing more than 20,000 fans for playoff games at the Palace of Auburn Hills. They went from worst in the league to winning the 2003 title behind head coach Bill Laimbeer, a two-time NBA champion center with Pistons.
However, the club was sold and moved to Tulsa for the 2010 season, later moving to Texas and became the Dallas Wings in 2016.
Detroit Shock forward and team captain Swin Cash carries the championship trophy off the court after her team defeated the Los Angeles Sparks at the WNBA Finals Tuesday night, Sept. 16, 2003, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills.
Why did Detroit Shock move?
The Detroit Shock always faced an uphill battle garnering attention in a region with four major professional sports teams. After owner Bill Davidson died in 2009, his wife, Karen, began liquidating his estate's assets and both the Shock and Pistons were sold.
The team lost $2 million in their final season in the Motor City, Tom Wilson, president of Palace Sports and Entertainment, said at the time, with an economic downturn in the Detroit metropolitan area playing a role.
"The Shock has been a true force in the WNBA, but the fact of the matter is that the economic realities have caused us to make this decision," Wilson said at the time.
Who else was bidding for a WNBA expansion team?
These ownership groups did not receive WNBA expansion franchises.
- A Nashville, Tennessee, group, backed by WNBA legend Candace Parker and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, applied Thursday. That group wants to name the team the Nashville Summitt as an homage to late University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt.
- An Austin, Texas, group, backed by NBA start Kevin Durant, franchise was considering applying late last year.
- Other expansion bids reportedly were made by Kansas City (backed by NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes), St. Louis (Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum), Houston (Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta) and Milwaukee.
What are the newest WNBA expansion teams?
The WNBA was settled at 12 teams after the Atlanta Dream was added for the 2008 season. After the league changed commissioners to Cathy Engelbert in 2019, she said the league was ready to pursue expansion.
Since then, the interest in expansion teams has soared with multiple suitors during each round of additions. That simultaneous with rise of women's sports on TV.
The league added the Golden State Valkyries, owned by the NBA's Golden State Warriors, two years ago and they started play when during 2025 season.
In 2024, the WNBA added the Toronto Tempo, owned by the NBA's Toronto Raptors, for the 2026 season. Also, starting in 2026 will be the yet-to-be named Portland team, owned by the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers.
Detroit WNBA expansion fee
Detroit's new WNBA team owners paid a $250 million expansion fee, the Free Press confirmed. That's five times more than the Valkyries paid in 2023. Every WNBA team's valuation is up more than 100% in the past year, according to a Sportico report in June.
Why is the WNBA expanding?
The league has a seen a tremendous jump in attendance and last season it reached new heights.
It reached its highest total attendance since 2002 (2,353,735), including 154 sellouts. The average attendance was 9,807, an increase of 48% from 2023.
Even before last season's "Caitlin Clark effect," the 2023 season saw a 17% attendance increase over 2022. The Las Vegas Aces averaged nearly 10,000 a game (9,551) and lead the league last season.
WNBA TV ratings were soaring
The league had contracts with ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ION and NBA TV as 22 regular-season games received at least 1 million viewers.
The WNBA had its most watched season ever in 2024 with a 170% increase from the previous season. The league also had its seven most watched-games on ESPN.
CBS Sports saw its ratings rise by 86% for its games. It also had the most-streamed season ever on Paramount+.
Also, the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game was watched by 3.4 million viewers, 305% more than the 2023 All-Star Game.
WNBA's new TV deal and contract
Beginning in 2026, the league will receive about $200 million a year to broadcast games with some new TV partners.
ESPN, ABC, NBC, Peacock and Amazon will show more than 125 regular-season and playoff games each year. That will include 25 regular-season games on Disney platforms, 50 on NBC and Peacock and 30 on Amazon's Prime Video.
The deal is for 11 years, ending in 2036.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit wins WNBA expansion bid. Why did Detroit Shock leave and why is league expanding?
