A new Detroit WNBA T-shirt is available for $49 online for pre-order. The product is expected to ship around Aug. 22.
WNBA fans in Detroit can gear up early for 2029 as a new T-shirt is available online for pre-orders.
The league announced earlier this year that Detroit would be one of three cities receiving an expansion team over the next 5 years, with play set to begin in Detroit in 2029.
"Celebrate the return of women’s professional basketball to the Motor City with this officially licensed Detroit WNBA T-shirt from Sportiqe," the product description says.
"Made from ultra-soft 100% jersey cotton, this unisex tee commemorates Detroit’s 2029 WNBA expansion team and the city's rich basketball legacy. Show your support in style as the WNBA comes back to Detroit — where champions are made."
The T-shirt is available for $49 for pre-order. The product is expected to ship around Aug. 22 and is available on the Pistons' website.
Will the WNBA's Detroit team be the Shock?
The Shock moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2010 before relocating again to Texas ahead of the 2016 season; the franchise is now known as the Dallas Wings.
The WNBA does not appear to own the rights to the "Detroit Shock" name, as Detroit native Ryan Reed is attempting to start a rival women's basketball league and has the trademark. Still, the WNBA applied to regain the trademark earlier this year.
What are newest WNBA expansion teams?
The league added the Golden State Valkyries, owned by the NBA's Golden State Warriors, two years ago; they started play for the 2025 season.
In 2024, the WNBA added the Toronto Tempo, owned by the NBA's Toronto Raptors, for the 2026 season. Also, starting in 2026 will be the yet-to-be named Portland team. (Portland was home to a WNBA franchise from 2000-02.) That expansion team, however is not owned by the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. Instead, the Portland expansion team will be run by an ownership group that also has the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League and a minority interest in the Sacramento Kings.
Along with the Detroit franchise, the WNBA announced two other expansion teams: Cleveland – owned by the group run by Cleveland Cavaliers owner (and Michigan State alumnus) Dan Gilbert – which is set to begin play in 2028. (Cleveland is another former WNBA city, with the Rockers playing there from 1997-2003 before ceasing to exist.) The final team in this round of expansion will be in Philadelphia and run by the Philadelphia 76ers ownership group; the as-yet-unnamed team is set to begin play in 2030 as the WNBA's 18th franchise.
Detroit WNBA expansion fee
Detroit's new WNBA team is set to return to play in 2029 as one of four teams starting play over the next four seasons.
The owners paid a $250 million expansion fee, the Free Press confirmed, five times more than the Valkyries paid in 2023.
Every WNBA team's valuation is up more than 100% in the past year, according to a Sportico report in June.
The team is scheduled to play in Little Caesars Arena.
Jalen Williams covers trends and breaking news at the Detroit Free Press. Have an idea about a Detroit WNBA story? Reach him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New Detroit WNBA shirt available for presale
Category: Basketball
