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Credit: Jay Davis/Crain’s Detroit Business
Businesses and restaurants in The District Detroit and other parts of downtown stand to see a bump in business when the new WNBA team tips off in 2029.
The excitement over Detroit getting a new WNBA team extends beyond the hardwood court on which the still-to-be-named team will play inside Little Caesars Arena.
The new women’s professional basketball team, announced Monday, will tip off in 2029 in a move that stands to benefit restaurants, bars and other businesses in and around The District Detroit, which includes LCA.
The WNBA regular season will fill in when the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons, both of which also call Little Caesars Arena home, are in their off-seasons. The WNBA plays mid-May to early September, stretching into October for playoffs.
LCA will be busy, adding at least 22 games for the new Detroit WNBA team each season, while the NHL and NBA teams play 41 home games from October to April. Then there are the hundreds of other events, including concerts, Disney on Ice shows, the Duel in the D college hockey matchup between Michigan State and the University of Michigan, and more.
Credit: Brian Sevald/iStock
A new Detroit WNBA team will play 22 home games at Little Caesars Arena, where the Pistons and Red Wings play 41 home games each from October to April.
Howard Handler, president of 313 Presents, said in a statement that the Detroit-based entertainment company that manages events at Little Caesars Arena and other venues in metro Detroit is excited to welcome the WNBA team, saying the additional home game dates offer an opportunity to enhance its spring, summer and fall programming.
“There’s a precedent for arenas hosting NBA, NHL, and WNBA teams, as seen at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, while maintaining a strong lineup of concerts, events, and attractions,” Handler said. “We’ve studied successful models and are excited to maximize the economic impact and added activity the new WNBA team will bring to downtown and District Detroit.”
Detroit Vs. Everybody founder and owner Tommie Walker believes the addition of the WNBA team will provide a significant boost to his business. Detroit Vs. Everybody has a retail shop inside The District Detroit on Columbia Street at Woodward Avenue as well as online sales.
Walker said he hopes to see a 15%-20% increase in sales during the WNBA season.
“The return of the WNBA is more than just sports, it’s economic energy,” Walker said in an email to Crain’s. “More events at LCA mean more foot traffic, more opportunity, and more business for all of us.”
Curt Catallo agrees. The owner of Clarkston-based Union Joints restaurant group looks forward to the WNBA team and the additional business it will bring downtown. Catallo’s Union Assembly restaurant opened in 2021 between the Fox Theatre and the Fillmore music venue on Woodward Avenue inside The District Detroit.
“It’s great to see the momentum the city has continue with this new team. There’s no doubt the WNBA will bring a lot more business to the area,” Catallo said. “What’s great about it from a business standpoint is there’s not a lot of overlap with too many other events during the WNBA season, so it’ll fill a natural void in the schedule and that’s good for all businesses.”
The Detroit Sports Commission and Visit Detroit in a joint statement to Crain’s called the return of the WNBA to Detroit a major win for the city and a celebration for basketball fans across the region. The addition of another club strengthens Detroit’s storied sports legacy and creates opportunities to elevate women’s sports, they said.
Mootz Pizzeria + Bar and sister space Side Hustle Lounge are outside The District Detroit, but Director of Operations Tyler Westfal believes the businesses could still see a 10% increase in sales during the WNBA season. Westfal said the restaurants will likely need to add more staff once the team starts playing.
“This kind of investment in women’s sports is good for the city and good for business,” Westfal said. “A new team means more game-day traffic, more private events and a broader customer base. It brings fresh energy downtown and gives people one more reason to gather, celebrate and support Detroit.”
Sandra Haro, co-owner of Mezcal Mexican Restaurant in Midtown, told Crain’s said she expects the WNBA to help boost sales at her restaurant by 30%-40% over the season.
“It’s exciting because it means more business not just for us, but for all businesses nearby,” Haro said in an email. “We’re looking forward to the energy it brings and welcoming a new, diverse community of sports fans to the area. We’re already dreaming up fun specials and promotions to make game days even more enjoyable.”
Credit: Jay Davis/Crain’s Detroit Business
The WNBA’s return to Detroit means Little Caesars Arena could potentially host a future WNBA All-Star Game. The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game brought in more than $1 million to the Phoenix economy.
Crain’s reported in May 2024 on the Pistons’ interest in bringing a WNBA team back to the area. Detroit’s winning bid was submitted in January by a group of high-profile investors led by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and his wife Holly.
The addition of a WNBA team means Detroit could be the host for a future WNBA All-Star Game. The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix brought in more than $1 million for the local economy. The league’s growth has hit the store racks, too. Merchandise sales online and at the league’s flagship store in New York City increased by 601% in 2024 from 2023. Retail partner Dick’s Sporting Goods in 2024 saw sales of WNBA gear jump by 233% from 2023. Fanatics is already selling a Detroit-themed WNBA shirt on its website.
The planned return of the WNBA to Detroit also includes potential real estate developments.
The Gores-led 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 would also include a public sports center that would house a youth development academy that would promote youth sports and address a lack of access and equity of youth facilities in Detroit. The facility would have youth basketball and volleyball courts and fields for soccer, football and lacrosse along with spectator seating.
Crain’s and other media earlier this year reported that the Gores-led group would look at a redevelopment of the former Uniroyal site in Detroit to serve as a headquarters for the team. Arn Tellem, vice chairman of the Detroit Pistons and an investor in the Detroit WNBA team, last week confirmed that is the preferred site but the group continues to look at its options.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has committed to partnering with the ownership group to develop the new campus in a central location for Detroit residents, according to a news release.
Detroit joins two other cities that will get teams at the back end of the decade. A Cleveland franchise, with an ownership group led by Dan Gilbert, the Detroit-based billionaire who owns the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA team, will start play in 2028. And a Philadelphia squad will start play in 2030, according to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
The NBA and WNBA boards of governors are to vote to approve the latest round of expansion later this year.
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