Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes look poised to be in competition once again as the Detroit Lions’ quarterback aims to push for a WNBA expansion team in Motown; whilst the Kansas City Chiefs‘ star also does the same thing in Missouri.
The WNBA is currently exploding in popularity thanks to the efforts of an excellent 2024 rookie draft class, including the Indiana Fevers’ Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, combined with a new social media marketing push.
As a result, the Golden State Valkyries have already sprung up in San Francsico for the 2025 season and there are plans for additional franchises to follow suit in the coming years, part of why both NFL stars are interested.
The 29-year-old Mahomes looks to bring a team to the Kansas City area and already has shares in the Kansas City Current women’s soccer organization, suggesting he is aware of the issues women’s sports faces and how to grow the WNBA.
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Whilst Goff and his wife a part of an investment group announcing a bid on January 31 as they look to bring women’s basketball to their local area in Detroit, alongside the Lions‘ owner and the NBA’s Detroit Pistons‘ owner.
“This is an exciting opportunity to welcome the WNBA back to Detroit,” Tom Gores, owner of the Pistons, said in a statement. “And bring additional investment and economic activity into the city.
“For the WNBA this is home, and our bid represents an unprecedented opportunity for the league to come full circle and effect a long-hoped-for Detroit homecoming.
“No city is more prepared to embrace the team as a community asset that drives unity and common ground.”
Detroit’s WNBA heritage
If the bid wins the rights to an expansion team, then the investors will push forwards with plans for a training facility and headquarters, including office space and gyms. They would play at Little Caesars Arena, home of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and Pistons.
This would be the second time Detroit has had a WNBA team. Previously they were the home of the Detroit Shock and won three titles from 2003-2008, before being moved to Oklahoma and then Dallas. They’re now the Dallas Wings.