The WNBA is officially coming back to Detroit! In a landmark move for women's sports, the league's owners formally approved three new expansion teams on Thursday, with the Motor City set to welcome a franchise for the 2029 season. This exciting news, first reported in June 2025, was spearheaded by a high-profile investment group led by Pistons owner Tom Gores, who secured the team with a reported $250 million expansion fee.

The new Detroit team will be part of a major wave of growth for the surging WNBA, joining new franchises in Cleveland (2028) and Philadelphia (2030). The organization plans to build a state-of-the-art practice facility and headquarters at the former Uniroyal site on the Detroit riverfront, which will also serve as a youth sports academy and multi-sport complex for the community.

Now, the big question on every fan's mind: what will this historic team be called? While the naming process is typically thorough and lengthy, one iconic name is already generating major buzz: the Detroit Shock.

For longtime WNBA fans, the "Shock" name carries a legacy of championship glory. As one of the league's original 1998 expansion franchises, the Detroit Shock became a dynasty under coach and former "Bad Boy" Bill Laimbeer, capturing three WNBA championships. The franchise moved to Tulsa in 2010 and later to Dallas, but the "Shock" identity remains deeply tied to Detroit's basketball history. Adding to the speculation, a trademark for "Detroit Shock" was registered to the Women's Basketball League in early 2025, fueling belief that a beloved name could be poised for a triumphant return to the court.