The WNBA expansion became one of the headlines when the league announced three new franchises to join by 2030. Many questioned the league’s decision amid players opting out of the CBA deal and seeking improvements to the playing environment. The Detroit Shock was one of those expansion franchises that returned to the league after moving to Tulsa and, later, to Dallas.
While the league celebrates Black History Month and honors A’ja Wilson with special recognition, Detroit is also celebrating Women’s History Month and opts to honor the WNBA champion side in a special event.
Detroit Shock Players To Receive Special Honor
The Detroit Shock will make its debut in the 2029 season, with the city already preparing to welcome the ‘W’ franchise with open arms. Ahead of their inaugural season, the Pistons organization decided to recognize their achievement in the 2006 season.
According to the official announcement, the 2006 WNBA championship-winning team will receive special honors at Little Caesars Arena during the Pistons game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 7.
The Detroit Pistons will honor the 2006 WNBA Champion Detroit Shock as part of its Women’s Empowerment Game on March 7th when the Pistons take on the Brooklyn Nets: https://t.co/tA4D6zzMCi pic.twitter.com/PQZyMGS5jr
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 2, 2026
“We are proud to welcome back members of the 2006 Detroit Shock during Women’s History Month and honor a team that captured Detroit’s second WNBA championship,” said Melanie Harris, Pistons president of business operations. “The 2006 title run reinforced a championship standard in Detroit and reflected the resilience, toughness and unity that defines this city. We are excited to celebrate that team’s lasting impact on Detroit sports history.”
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The celebration will be part of the team’s Women’s Empowerment Game and mark the 20th anniversary of the Shock’s second WNBA title.
While the organization is not only showing support by honoring its past champions, it is already making huge investments in the infrastructure for the upcoming franchise.
Big Budget Allocated To Upgrade Arena For Detroit Shock
While the owners of the WNBA franchise have yet to decide on a name, they are considering Detroit Shock as one option to keep the historic feat inspiring the team. Yet Detroit has already taken a major step toward funding a future WNBA team.
Detroit WNBA team loading… https://t.co/OGEtAolORl
— Debmallya Chakraborty (@DebmallyaC93340) December 23, 2025
According to reports, officials will allocate $5 million to renovate Little Caesars Arena in preparation for the potential arrival of a WNBA franchise in Detroit. Richard Haddad, the COO of the Pistons, said, “It’s to support the renovation of the arena to accommodate the WNBA basketball team and to make sure they have first-class dedicated facilities just like the Pistons and the Red Wings do.”
The city is excited to welcome its ‘W’ team, and now, honoring the past champions, they have already shown what the franchise means to them.