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Detroit Lions fans have passionately chanted Jared Goff’s name across the city, and soon, they might have another venue to do so—a WNBA game. The star quarterback and his wife, Christen Harper Goff, have joined an investment group led by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores to bring a WNBA expansion team to Detroit. This initiative marks a potential revival of women’s professional basketball in the city, which last had a team—the Detroit Shock—before it relocated in 2010.Till then, they won three WNBA titles in 2003, 2006, and 2008.
Jared Goff and Wife Christen Harper Join Effort to Bring WNBA Back to Detroit
The city of Detroit could soon witness the return of women’s professional basketball, thanks to an ambitious investment group led by Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his wife, Christen. Alongside them, Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and Lions owner Sheila Hamp are making a strong push to secure a WNBA expansion team. Gores has formally submitted the bid, setting the stage for what could be a historic revival of women’s basketball in the Motor City.For Detroit, this bid is more than just an expansion—it’s a homecoming. The city was once home to the Detroit Shock, a franchise that thrived from its inception in 1998 until its relocation in 2009. During its time in the league, the Shock dominated, winning three WNBA championships and setting attendance records.“This is an exciting opportunity to welcome the WNBA back to Detroit and bring additional investment and economic activity into the city,” Gores stated. “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.”If successful, the new team would play its home games at Little Caesars Arena, the current home of the NBA’s Pistons and the NHL’s Red Wings. To further strengthen the bid, the investment group plans to develop a dedicated practice facility and team headquarters, providing players with state-of-the-art training resources, locker rooms, and lounge areas.The movement to bring the WNBA back to Detroit got strong support from political leaders, including Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The backing of state and local officials underscores the potential economic and social impact of securing a franchise.“Michiganders are fired up,” Whitmer said. “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.”
Competition in the WNBA Expansion Race
While Detroit is making a compelling case, the bid is not without competition. Cleveland announced its intent to secure a WNBA franchise in November 2024, and Nashville followed suit on January 30, 2025. Notably, Nashville’s bid is backed by Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker, adding significant star power to their effort.Meanwhile, the WNBA has already confirmed three new expansion teams set to launch over the next two seasons in Golden State (San Francisco), Portland, and Toronto. League Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has expressed her desire to introduce a 16th team by 2028, setting the stage for an intense competition among cities vying for the final spot.Also Read: “I moved on”: Jalen Hurts does not want to recount Super Bowl LVII’s toughest moment, leaves Eagles’ painful loss in the pastWith the 2025 WNBA season tipping off on May 16, all eyes will be on Detroit’s bid. If successful, Jared Goff and his investment group will not only bring back an iconic franchise but also reignite the passion for women’s basketball in a city that once led the league in attendance.
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