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Detroit Pistons' Rival Market Expected to Land WNBA Team

A Detroit Pistons rival organization could land a WNBA team soon.
Justin Grasso|
Oct 2, 2020; Bradenton, Florida, USA; The shoes of Seattle Storm guard Jordin Canada (21) with the WNBA logo during game 1 of the WNBA finals against the Las Vegas Aces at IMG Academy. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-Imagn Images
Oct 2, 2020; Bradenton, Florida, USA; The shoes of Seattle Storm guard Jordin Canada (21) with the WNBA logo during game 1 of the WNBA finals against the Las Vegas Aces at IMG Academy. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-Imagn Images | Mary Holt-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsCleveland Cavaliers

With the WNBA growing rapidly, many NBA organizations have been looking to bring expansion teams to their market. The Detroit Pistons formally announced their plans to make a bid for a WNBA franchise in late January.

Recently, it’s been revealed that an East Coast market is expected to add a team. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t help Tom Gores and the Pistons revive the Shock.

According to Sports Business Journal, Detroit’s rival franchise in Cleveland is expected to be announced as the next market to bring a team to the WNBA.

“The sources put Cleveland’s expansion chances as high as 90% -- with an announcement expected no later than March,” SBJ wrote.

Tom Gore
Feb 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores watches a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

While that’s a shot at Detroit’s hope, for now, all hope certainly isn’t lost. For starters, 90% is obviously a high chance, but it’s not a guarantee.

And even if Cleveland does get a team to join the Cavaliers and the Charge, the report notes that the WNBA has “re-thought its original plan of adding just one team.” Perhaps one or two more could be added to bring the league’s total to 18 teams soon.

That’s a good sign for Detroit, but the bidding market remains hot. Philadelphia, Houston, Nashville, and Miami were all mentioned as possible competing markets, and Charlotte is another one that has popped up in the past.

For the upcoming season, the WNBA will see the debut of the Golden State Valkyries. In 2026, the league will roll out two more franchises. The Toronto Tempo and an unnamed Portland-based team will take the court.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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