Detroit Pistons leadership outlines development plans for future WNBA franchise
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 10:15 AM
Last updated Sep 3, 2026
Detroit Pistons Vice President Arn Tellem announced plans for a new WNBA franchise set to begin play in the 2029 season. The team will play its home games at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit, sharing the venue with the Pistons and the Detroit Red Wings. As part of the expansion, ownership intends to construct a $50 million practice facility and headquarters on the city’s East Riverfront. This campus will include a 100,000-square-foot youth sports academy designed to serve underserved residents of the city. The initiative follows the historical presence of the Detroit Shock, which operated in the region from 1998 until 2009. The new project aims to foster economic growth and provide athletic facilities for regional and national youth sports development.
- •The new WNBA franchise is scheduled to begin play in the 2029 season.
- •Home games will be held at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit.
- •Ownership is building a $50 million WNBA practice facility and headquarters on the East Riverfront.
- •The project features a 100,000-square-foot youth sports academy for local, regional, and national use.
- 10:15 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Under consideration’ – Pistons executive gives update on name for new Detroit WNBA team
- 2:05 PMYahoo Sports — Detroit Pistons executive teases ‘first of its kind’ plans for new WNBA franchise
"As professional women’s basketball prepares to return to the Motor City, we’re finding out just how Detroit plans to make the dreams a reality. Detroit has a rich, championship-winning history with the WNBA that makes its upcoming return all the more significant.
"Detroit’s new WNBA franchise hasn’t officially named its team yet, but ownership isn’t ruling out a return of the beloved Detroit Shock brand. Detroit’s return to the WNBA in 2029 marks a step in the league’s drive toward an 18-team footprint.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 10:15 AM‘Under consideration’ – Pistons executive gives update on name for new Detroit WNBA team
Detroit’s new WNBA franchise hasn’t officially named its team yet, but ownership isn’t ruling out a return of the beloved Detroit Shock brand. Detroit’s return to the WNBA in 2029 marks a step in the league’s drive toward an 18-team footprint.
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 2:05 PMDetroit Pistons executive teases ‘first of its kind’ plans for new WNBA franchise
As professional women’s basketball prepares to return to the Motor City, we’re finding out just how Detroit plans to make the dreams a reality. Detroit has a rich, championship-winning history with the WNBA that makes its upcoming return all the more significant.
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