We asked what you'd name Detroit's new WNBA team, and your answers were awesome | Letters

Basketball fans are buzzing with the news of professional women's basketball returning to Detroit. But there's one small thing to figure out: What will the team name be?

Detroit was home to a WNBA franchise, dubbed the Detroit Shock, from 1998 through 2009. But Detroit's new WNBA team may have a different name. Ryan Reed, owner and president of the new Women's Basketball League, registered the rights to the Detroit Shock name in 2023. While the WNBA is talking to Reed about relinquishing the name, the question remains up in the air.

A letter to the editor from metro Detroiter Wanda Lawrence got us thinking. "Name for the new WNBA Detroit team," Lawrence wrote. "Detroit Dynasty, Detroit Diamonds." We wanted to hear your ideas, so we asked, and you answered. It's not too late to get in on the action ― tell us your pick in a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters with "WNBA name" in the subject line, and we may publish it online and in print.

'Detroit Spirit' captures what the city is all about

The name of the new WNBA team should be the Detroit Spirit. It's an obvious homage to the Spirit of Detroit statue, but it also captures the pride and comradery of Detroiters that has helped the city rise back up in recent times. Without it, the WNBA would not be returning to the city.

I'd argue that while the Shock was an excellent name and it would be a worthy return for the new WNBA team, there's a value in starting fresh while also honoring the past. The name Detroit Spirit does both — honoring the rich history of our great America while also blazing a powerful new path forward.

Evan Stockton

Novi

Let's draw from Detroit's rich past

I think the Riveters would be a great name for our new Detroit WNBA team. It harkens back to our Detroit past (Rosie the Riveter and the Arsenal of Democracy), elevates strong and tough women that mirrors Detroit's own, could be a fantastic logo, is unique, powerful and as American as it gets.

Go Riveters!

Jeff Lincicome

Grosse Pointe

How about a Motor City theme?

Like most sports fans, I look forward to having a WNBA team in Detroit. However, I feel that the name of the new team should be related to a Motor City theme. If you think of something related to automobiles that represents power and speed, Detroit Turbos would be perfect.

Stanford Singer

Farmington Hills

Pop culture references could give the team a boost

I still hope it's the Shock, but if not, I'd nominate Belles as the team name for the new Detroit WNBA team — in honor of the beloved Belle Isle.

As a fun reference to the Racine Belles in A League of Their Own and Belle from Beauty and the Beast, the pop culture potential of the name would truly make for a fun time. It's not the toughest or most modern name, but the real-life Racine Belles from the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League also moved to Battle Creek and Muskegon for their final seasons, so there is a Michigan connection —one aside from Michigan's own Madonna appearing in the movie.

Todd Weiser

Brooklyn, New York

Combining talent and autos

"Detroit Dash" would continue with the tradition of automotive-related themes (Dashboard or "Dash" being the area of the vehicle that houses all instruments, dials, and tools needed to command the car) while at the same time generating an image of speed, as in "dashing from one place to another."

In addition, it also carries the meaning of an amount of something, as in "adding a dash of excitement" to the city.

Jason Tinsley

Ypsilanti

This team will reflect Detroit's success

Detroit Drive!

The Detroit Drive will have the grit, the determination and the history of the Automotive Industry to Drive our city forward to the top of the WNBA.

M. Cathy Nowosielski

Marco Island, Florida

The new team will be ... riveting

The new name should be "Detroit Riveters" to invoke the spirit of "Rosie the Riveter" of World War II/Arsenal of Democracy heritage, and to play into the state's manufacturing heritage. And (hopefully) their play will be so good as to be "riveting."

Jack Dempsey

Plymouth

(Editor's note: That's two for the Detroit Riveters.)

Confidence plus cars

To fall in line with the auto theme of Shock and even Pistons, how about "Strut." Shock has a double meaning for the car part and being surprised. Strut is also a car part and a confident walk. The Detroit "Strut."

Brian Harris

Walled Lake

Driving towards success

I believe that we should call our team the "Detroit Drive." It embodies the spirit and the resurrection of our great city. It even has an automotive feel to it as well.

Randy Calloway

Warren

Editor's note: Two for Detroit Drive.

Following iconic trends

Detroit Pride. It interconnects with the Lions, works well with the WNBA trend of not having an “s” at the end, and we’re all proud of the city.

Matt Grandstaff

Cary, North Carolina

Singing praises for the new team

To celebrate and honor the city's music history, I think they should be named The Detroit Supremes.

Will Carr

Belleville

A supremely successful team

Name for the new Detroit WNBA team: "Detroit Supremes." It's a lock!

Thomas Roy

Livonia

Editor's note: And two for Detroit Supremes.

Good one, Tom

Detroit MOTORVATORS.

Tom Cocozzoli

Lansing

Detroit hustles harder

A new name for the WNBA Detroit team: The Detroit Grit.

Kate Wittenberg

Berkley

A shining title

I think “Detroit Chrome” would be a great name!

Sean Davidson

Dearborn

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New Detroit WNBA team may need a new name. We asked readers. | Letters