The WNBA Detroit Shock Trademark Application & Expansion Bid News
Cities across the US are eagerly vying to host the next Women’s National Basketball Association team. Amidst this fervent anticipation, the league discreetly filed a trademark application for the name “Detroit Shock” earlier this week. This trademark, intended for a basketball team, merchandising, jerseys, and in-arena signage, carries significant weight in the league’s decision-making process for a new franchise location.
Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores threw his hat in the ring by submitting a bid on Friday to bring a new team to the Motor City. The ownership group includes prominent figures like Detroit Lions principal owner Sheila Ford Hamp, former Detroit Pistons stars Grant Hill and Chris Webber, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. In a statement, Gores expressed the deep-seated love for sports that defines Detroit, emphasizing the city’s unwavering passion for its teams.
The trademark application, a strategic move by the WNBA, serves as a crucial step in the process of establishing a new team. Notably, the league retains the rights to all names and logos for its franchises, as explained by Josh Gerben, a trademark attorney at Gerben IP. Gerben highlighted that the Detroit Shock trademark filing could signify a winning bid from Detroit, indicating a concrete plan to move forward with the expansion.
However, the trademark application also serves as a preemptive measure against potential trademark squatters or unauthorized use of the name. An earlier application for “Detroit Shock” by an individual named Ryan Reed in July 2023 remains pending approval, raising questions about potential conflicts. Reed, purportedly based in Detroit, has been linked to a women’s basketball league through his LinkedIn profile.
The history of the Detroit Shock, a former WNBA team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, adds a layer of nostalgia and significance to the trademark filing. The team, which clinched three WNBA Championships in 2003, 2006, and 2008, has a rich legacy that resonates with fans. Following their relocation to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2009, and subsequently to Arlington, Texas, in 2016 as the Dallas Wings, the Detroit Shock’s return to their roots in Detroit would mark a poignant homecoming for the team’s supporters.
As the excitement builds around the prospect of a new team, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed at the WNBA Finals in October that at least 10 cities have expressed interest in hosting an expansion team. With plans to introduce a 16th team by 2028 at the latest, the league is carefully evaluating potential locations. Cities like Cleveland, Kansas City, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Houston, Austin, Nashville, and Milwaukee are among those aspiring to bring the thrill of professional women’s basketball to their communities.
In this landscape of anticipation and possibility, the WNBA’s trademark application for the “Detroit Shock” stands as a beacon of hope for fans awaiting the return of a beloved team. As the league navigates the intricacies of expansion bids and franchise locations, the spirit of competition and camaraderie continues to fuel the excitement surrounding the future of women’s professional basketball.
