Pistons owner leads bid for Detroit WNBA team with investor supergroup
https://www.crainsdetroit.com/sports...s-investor-bidThe new WNBA team would play its home games at Little Caesars Arena, bringing an additional 22-plus sporting events to the city each year.
Tellem on Friday told Crain's that the WNBA hasn't set a deadline for a decision on the bid.
The group hasn't settled on a name for the team. The WNBA's Detroit Shock played at The Palace of Auburn Hills from 1998 to 2009. The plan calls for first-class amenities.The bid includes a comprehensive facilities plan that would utilize new and current facilities for the team, its players and the community. The plan includes building a dedicated WNBA practice facility and team headquarters, highlighted as a priority by the league. That facility would include state-of-the-art courts, a locker room, workout facilities, and office and lounge space.
The development also would include a public sports center that would house a youth development academy. The academy would promote youth sports and address a lack of access and equity of youth facilities in Detroit. The plan calls for the facility to have youth basketball and volleyball courts and fields for soccer, football and lacrosse along with spectator seating.
Tellem said the group is in talks with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on where in the city facilities could be built. The potential cost of the project was not disclosed.
If the Detroit bid is accepted, the team would begin play in 2028.
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