GM CEO Mary Barra Involved in Bid for Detroit WNBA Team | Carscoops

      Other investors include Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp and quarterback Jared Goff.

      15 hours ago

      by Michael Gauthier

      GM CEO Mary Barra is involved in a group of investors aiming to bring a WNBA team to Detroit.

      The initiative is being spearheaded by Tom Gores, owner of the Detroit Pistons, and also features Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp.

      Should the bid receive approval, the new team is expected to play at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

      While the WNBA is frequently the subject of jokes, the proposal for a Detroit team has garnered interest from several prominent investors. Reportedly, this group includes GM CEO Mary Barra, Sheila Ford Hamp, and KC Crain (CEO of Crain Communications, the parent company of Automotive News, Automobilwoche, and other publications).

      The bid is primarily led by Tom and Holly Gores, owners of the Detroit Pistons. Additional professional athletes, such as Grant Hill and Chris Webber, are also part of the effort, along with Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Furthermore, there are several other investors, including the spouses of some of the aforementioned individuals.

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      In a press release, Gores expressed, “This is an exciting opportunity to bring the WNBA back to Detroit and generate further investment and economic activity in the city.” He noted that the bid “signifies an unprecedented chance for the league to come full circle and fulfill a long-desired homecoming for Detroit.”

      This statement subtly alludes to the Detroit Shock, which was included in the inaugural WNBA expansion. Over their roughly ten-year existence, the team set multiple attendance records and secured three championships.

      However, in 2009, the Shock announced their relocation to Tulsa, Oklahoma, a decision that puzzled many, and they later became the Dallas Wings after a short stint.

      If approved, the new WNBA team in Detroit would play at Little Caesars Arena, which currently hosts the Pistons and the Red Wings. Although the team would use an existing venue, the proposal includes plans for a dedicated practice facility and team headquarters that would feature designated courts, locker rooms, and training areas. The plan also includes a public sports center featuring a youth development academy and community sports facilities such as youth basketball courts, volleyball courts, and multi-purpose fields for soccer, football, and lacrosse, complete with seating for spectators.

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      — Little Caesars Arena (@LCArena_Detroit) November 12, 2024