Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes appear ready to compete again as the Detroit Lions’ quarterback strives to advocate for a WNBA expansion team in Motown, while the Kansas City Chiefs’ star pursues a similar goal in Missouri.
The WNBA is currently surging in popularity due to the standout 2024 rookie draft class, featuring Caitlin Clark from the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky, along with a fresh social media marketing initiative.
Consequently, the Golden State Valkyries have emerged in San Francisco for the 2025 season, and there are intentions for more franchises to be established in the following years, which is partly why both NFL stars are engaged.
The 29-year-old Mahomes aims to establish a team in the Kansas City area and already owns shares in the Kansas City Current women’s soccer organization, indicating his understanding of the challenges women’s sports encounter and how to enhance the WNBA.
While Goff and his wife are members of an investment group that revealed a bid on January 31, they aim to introduce women’s basketball to their community in Detroit, together with the Lions’ owner and the Detroit Pistons’ owner from the NBA.
“This presents a thrilling chance to bring the WNBA back to Detroit,” stated Tom Gores, the owner of the Pistons. “Moreover, attract further investment and economic engagement within the city.”
“For the WNBA, this is where it belongs, and our proposal signifies a unique chance for the league to complete its journey and realize a long-desired return to Detroit.”
“No city is better equipped to welcome the team as a communal treasure that fosters solidarity and shared values.”
If the bid secures the rights for an expansion team, the investors will proceed with plans for a training center and headquarters, featuring office areas and gyms. They would perform at Little Caesars Arena, the venue for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and the Pistons.
This would mark the second occasion that Detroit has hosted a WNBA team. Originally, they were the home of the Detroit Shock, who secured three championships from 2003 to 2008, before relocating to Oklahoma and later to Dallas. They are now known as the Dallas Wings.