A group of Detroit investors, led by Pistons owner Tom Gores and his wife, Holly, have taken another step in their bid to bring the WNBA back to the city. To reinforce their bid and commitment to women’s basketball, they have added a prominent figure: rapper Eminem, a proud Detroit native.

As reported Wednesday by the newspaper ‘Sportico’, Eminem joins the proposal along with Gores and other influential Detroit personalities, such as Lions quarterback Jared Goff, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, and other prominent names. This move seeks to maximize the chances of Detroit being selected as one of the cities for WNBA expansion.

DETROIT AND ITS WNBA HISTORY

Detroit has a long history with the WNBA and a strong desire to bring a team back to the city. The Detroit Shock were part of the league for more than a decade, from 1998 to 2009, before moving to Tulsa and becoming the Tulsa Shock. During their time in Detroit, the team enjoyed remarkable success, winning three championships in 2003, 2006 and 2008. Currently, the franchise is based in Arlington, Texas, and is known as the Dallas Wings.

The return of the WNBA to Detroit would not only be a sports milestone, but also a symbol of the city’s connection to elite women’s basketball.

HOW DOES EMINEM HELP DETROIT?

Eminem, known to be a passionate Detroit sports fan, has shown his support on multiple occasions, such as in promotions for iconic local team moments. His inclusion in the bid not only brings notoriety, but also significant financial and cultural backing.

In January, Tom Gores expressed his enthusiasm for the possibility of bringing the WNBA back to Detroit. “Our proposal represents an unprecedented opportunity for the league to come full circle and make a long-awaited return to Detroit a reality,” Gores said. “No city is more poised to embrace the team as a community asset that fosters unity and common ground.”

WNBA EXPANSION

The WNBA has plans to add a 16th team by 2028, although it has yet to announce when the final decision will be made. With the involvement of the likes of Eminem and other prominent investors, Detroit is looking to position itself as a top contender for this expansion.