Key Takeaways
- • Platinum Equity Founder Tom Gores and Detroit Pistons Vice Chairman Arn Tellem were named among Crain's Detroit Business top 2025 newsmakers for successfully leading the bid to return a WNBA franchise to Detroit.
- • Detroit's ownership group paid a $250 million expansion fee to secure the WNBA team, led by Gores, his wife Holly, and a group of diverse leaders from sports, entertainment, media, and finance with Detroit connections.
- • The franchise marks the return of professional women's basketball to Detroit, a historically successful WNBA market where the previous franchise won three titles between 1998 and 2009.
- • Tellem emphasized the strategic value to the city, noting the team will generate jobs, boost hospitality sector demand, and reinforce Detroit's identity as a sports-focused market undergoing economic rebirth.
Summary
Crain's Detroit Business recognized Platinum Equity Founder Tom Gores and Detroit Pistons Vice Chairman Arn Tellem as top 2025 newsmakers for orchestrating Detroit's successful bid to return a WNBA franchise to the city. The ownership group, led by Gores and his wife Holly alongside accomplished leaders from sports, entertainment, media, and finance, paid a $250 million expansion fee to secure the team. The bid was announced last summer and represents a significant milestone for both the league and the city.
Tellem, who represented the ownership group during negotiations with the NBA, outlined the broader strategic importance of the franchise to Detroit's continued economic development. Speaking at Crain's Newsmakers of the Year luncheon held at the new Department at Hudson's building in downtown Detroit, Tellem characterized the WNBA team as "a huge win for the city," emphasizing that professional sports have been integral to Detroit's rebirth. He highlighted concrete economic benefits including job creation, increased events for hospitality venues such as hotels and restaurants, and strengthened community resources.
The return of women's professional basketball to Detroit carries particular historical significance. The city previously hosted a WNBA franchise that won three championships during its 12-season tenure from 1998 to 2009, establishing Detroit as one of the league's most successful early markets. Gores stated that Detroit "played a key role in the league's early growth" and expressed confidence that the new franchise would "reignite that legacy as the WNBA ascends to new heights." The ownership group's plans emphasize bringing new energy, investment, and infrastructure both to the city and to the league itself.
Tellem, who represented the ownership group during negotiations with the NBA, outlined the broader strategic importance of the franchise to Detroit's continued economic development. Speaking at Crain's Newsmakers of the Year luncheon held at the new Department at Hudson's building in downtown Detroit, Tellem characterized the WNBA team as "a huge win for the city," emphasizing that professional sports have been integral to Detroit's rebirth. He highlighted concrete economic benefits including job creation, increased events for hospitality venues such as hotels and restaurants, and strengthened community resources.
The return of women's professional basketball to Detroit carries particular historical significance. The city previously hosted a WNBA franchise that won three championships during its 12-season tenure from 1998 to 2009, establishing Detroit as one of the league's most successful early markets. Gores stated that Detroit "played a key role in the league's early growth" and expressed confidence that the new franchise would "reignite that legacy as the WNBA ascends to new heights." The ownership group's plans emphasize bringing new energy, investment, and infrastructure both to the city and to the league itself.
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