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5 things that have changed about WNBA since the Detroit Shock left
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- 5 things that have changed about WNBA since the Detroit Shock left
The WNBA is officially coming back to the Motor City.
With the news of a WNBA team returning to Detroit by 2029, it's a good time to revisit the history of the city's first go-around with the WNBA.
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The Detroit Shock were founded in 1998, one year after the WNBA's first season. They played at the Palace at Auburn Hills through 2009, then the team packed their bags for Tulsa in 2010 (the franchise currently plays as the Dallas Wings ).
The Shock were one of the league's most successful teams in the 2000s, winning three WNBA titles (2003, 2006 and 2008), which still stands as tied for the second-most in league history. They featured basketball Hall-of-Famers like Katie Smith and Swin Cash , as well as Flint basketball legend Deanna Nolan and two-time All-WNBA forward Cheryl Ford .
Quite simply, the Shock were one of the league's most important teams during their run. But a lot has changed about the WNBA since they left.
Here are five big changes to the WNBA in the past 15 years since the Shock moved:
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1. Team movement
Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) defends against Las Vegas Aces guard Aaliyah Nye (13) during the second quarter at PHX Arena Jun 29, 2025.
The 2009 WNBA season featured 13 teams, six in the Western Conference and seven in the Eastern Conference. And while there has been some movement since then, the league looks very similar to 2009.
Of the 13 WNBA teams that played in the 2009 season, 10 are still playing in their home cities: the Atlanta Dream , Chicago Sky , Connecticut Sun , Indiana Fever , Los Angeles Sparks , Minnesota Lynx , New York Liberty , Phoenix Mercury and Washington Mystics .
Two of the three remaining franchises moved and are still active: the Shock franchise is now the Wings, and the San Antonio Silver Stars are now the Las Vegas Aces . Only the Sacramento Monarchs franchise no longer exists after they stopped playing in 2009.
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But the WNBA returned to Northern California in 2025 with the founding of the Golden State Valkyries . And the expansion isn't stopping there.
The WNBA will expand to two cities in 2026: Portland and Toronto. Cleveland has also been tagged for expansion in 2028 and Philadelphia in 2030.
And, of course, Detroit in 2029, expanding the league to 18 teams by the beginning of the next decade.
WHAT TO KNOW: WNBA coming back to Detroit
2. Growing pocketbook
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks to the fans prior to the game between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty at Barclays Center, May 17, 2025 in Brooklyn, New York.
In 2024, the WNBA signed a deal reported to be worth $200 million per year , which according to Sportico represents a 6x increase on their previous TV deal.
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As a comparison point, the top U.S. men's soccer league (MLS) makes about $250 million per year in media rights, while the top women's soccer league (NWSL) makes about $60 million per year .
The influx of money has increased the value of every team, as well. According to Sportico, the average WNBA franchise was worth about $96 million when the new media rights deal was signed in 2024. But valuations have gone up by 180% year-over-year , with the Valkyries leading the pack at a $500 million valuation.
The increased valuations aren't a coincidence, either — more people are becoming WNBA fans.
3. Bigger fanbase
The WNBA reported their broadcasts averaged 1.19 million viewers on ESPN in 2024 , a 170% increase from the season before. It also had its highest total attendance since 2001, selling out 154 total games with all teams increasing attendance by at least 10%.
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The Valkyries sold 10,000 season tickets in their first season at the Chase Center in San Francisco, becoming the first team in WNBA history to hit that mark.
As a comparison point, the NBA's Brooklyn Nets had around 5,500 season tickets sold three years ago according to the New York Post.
According to sports business reporter Joe Pompliano , the Indiana Fever sold out every game of their 2024 season and many of their road games , as well. And while it's a result of the league's growing popularity, there is one player who makes an inescapable part of that equation.
4. The Caitlin Clark Effect
Basketball superstar Caitlin Clark has had such a huge effect on the WNBA that she has her own economic term: the Caitlin Clark Effect .
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According to Fanatics, Clark had the second-best jersey sales among all professional basketball players in 2024, landing behind Stephen Curry and ahead of NBA stars like Jayson Tatum and LeBron James. The Fever also had a 225% increase in corporate partnerships and feature the largest number of sponsors in the WNBA, according to Pompliano.
In a four-month stretch in 2024, the Fever had more social media views than any major American pro sports team and added 1.3 million social media followers between April and August.
Clark has been a roaring economic engine by herself, but the attention she has brought hasn't always been positive for the league.
5. Increased media scrutiny
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese reacts to a flagrant foul from Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, left, on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
In part because of Clark, the WNBA is getting more media attention than it ever has. But it's also learning that comes with increased scrutiny and ill-informed opinions.
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Among other conflicts, Clark's rivalry with Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has caused many debates on TV and social media about the health of the league, which has led to increased viewership.
It has also, however, increased the level of harassment WNBA players have received, so much so that the league has had to increase security measures for its players and officials.
Whether this is a natural progression for a growing league or something more specific to the WNBA is up for debate. But it's the reality for WNBA teams for now, something the new Detroit franchise may have to reckon with once it breaks into the league.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: WNBA returning to Detroit: 5 things that changed since Shock left
