The WNBA and WNBPA are still negotiating the CBA, which will open new opportunities and provide benefits to the players. Apart from the competitors’ pressure, the league already has the pressure of handling the upcoming expansion teams in 2026. Moreover, the WNBA made three new franchise announcements ahead of a massive expansion set for 2030.
One of those franchises is from Detroit, which earlier housed the Detroit Shock team, which went on to win four conference championships and three WNBA titles, featuring many Hall of Fame players.
While the team will make its debut in 2029, there is already a lot of buzz around its name and plan, as Richard Haddad, the COO for Pistons Sports & Entertainment, put forward the practice facility plan in front of the Detroit City Council.
Detroit Pistons Open To Suggestions For WNBA Franchise Name
While the Los Angeles Sparks’ new training facility is set to shape their promising future, the expansion teams are also preparing work for the facilities and courts ahead of the debut. Detroit, for instance, already put forward a plan for the facility near the Detroit River.
During the presentation, Haddad answered a few questions, including the name for the franchise. “The name has not yet been determined. We are exploring multiple options, including the Detroit Shock, as hopefully, some or all of you know, was the name of the team that was here before. We’re open to suggestions if you have any, but we’re excited to continue to work through that process,” Haddad said.
Detroit’s WNBA team coming 2029 still has no name: “We are exploring multiple options, including the Detroit Shock, as hopefully some or all of you know was the name of the team that was here before,” says Richard Hadad of Pistons Sports & Entertainment. pic.twitter.com/33uBfuBJ70
— Sam Robinson (@samueljrob) November 18, 2025
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While the name would be a fitting honor to the city’s last WNBA team, Detroit native Ryan Reed owns the trademark for the name. While the franchise showed interest in using a different name, too, as per reports, Reed was in communication with the WNBA about the possibility of relinquishing the rights to the Shock.
Although the process could be lengthy, there is plenty of time for the Detroit authorities to work around it. Sadly, the franchise to Detroit announcement received some criticism, and Fever star Sophie Cunningham was vocal about her views.
Sophie Cunningham Questioned The Choice Of Detroit For WNBA Expansion
When the league announced the expansion cities, reporters asked the 29-year-old about her opinion on the same. The forward mentioned that it’s good the league is expanding into new markets, but questioned the choices of Detroit and Cleveland for the expansion. She mentioned cities like Miami, Nashville, or Kansas City would have been a better choice.
Fever star Sophie Cunningham on the WNBA expanding to multiple new cities over the next few years:
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 1, 2025
"I don’t know how excited people are to be going to Detroit or [Cleveland]" pic.twitter.com/pncwYpMar3
Even with fans and analysts giving her a tough time for her comments, she didn’t back out. She mentioned that she had shared her opinion on the expansion, which could differ from others, and added that the other players were also feeling the same way.
While it might not be a welcoming sign for the expansion team, they are looking to create an athlete-friendly environment and return to WNBA glory.