Ode to the Detroit Shock

I love the WNBA. The games are so competitive and the women are fierce. Once-upon-a-time I was in great shape. Now I am just in awe (and somewhat envious) of the athletic talent of the players, which make me a perfect candidate for ownership.

Speaking of athletic talent, I want to take a moment and give a shot out to Lindsey Whalen from the Minnesota Lynx and former Golden Gopher. Whalen and I played together at the University of Minnesota. During my senior year she was a stand-out freshman. She is tough, skilled, and the kindest person you’ll ever meet. After starting her career with the Connecticut Sun, she’s back in Minnesota playing in front of the home fans. Right now the Lynx are fourth in the Western Conference standings, so I hope to see her leading the team into the playoffs.

Back to the rest of the WNBA…

I have to say I have been a little sad this season. The Detroit Shock was sold at the end of last season and the team moved to Tulsa Oklahoma. I miss the Detroit Shock. Joni Mitchell said it best, “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”

The deal seemed to happen so fast. First, there were rumors swirling and then the next thing I knew the team was sold. And anyone that knows anything about “the art of a deal” the sale of the Shock didn’t just happen overnight. Between the lawyers, underwriters, accountants, and investors the deal had to be in the works for months.

Now the Tulsa Shock looks nothing like the Detroit Shock. There’s a new coach – Nolan Richardson, former head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks and known for his “40 minutes of hell” defense. Plenette Pierson is playing with the New York Liberty. Katie Smith is playing with the Washington Mystics. Kara Braxton is playing with the Phoenix Mercury.
Deanna “Tweety” Nolan and Cheryl Ford are not playing in the WNBA this season. After four conference championships (2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008) and three WNBA championships (2003, 2006, and 2008) the Shock of yesterday is gone.

I know that selling the Shock was purely a business decision. And sometimes owners have to make the tough call. The details behind the financial state of the Shock were never revealed but I’m guessing the state of the economy had something to do with it. Michigan has been hit hard by the economic down-turn and the impact has been seen with fans and sponsors. So I guess it was inevitable that the WNBA would be impacted. I suppose if I had to choose between the team folding (like what happed with the Sacramento Monarchs) or the team being sold, I would choose the sale.

However, what I wouldn’t choose is a team losing its entire institutional identity. I think that’s the part that stings the most. In 2002, Bill Laimbeer, former Detroit Piston and current Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach, took over the reigns as the Shock’s head coach. Later Laimbeer added his former teammate, Rick Mahorn, to the coaching staff. And it was clear that together they instituted old school Detroit Bad Boy toughness. The players adopted it and made it their own. In 2003, the team did a 180 and went from the worst team in the league to WNBA champions. The Shock never looked backed.

When I look at this situation I’ve been asking myself several questions.

Years from now will anyone remember that the Shock began in the Motor City? Will anyone remember what the team stood for? Who is responsible for carrying on the identity when a team bought and sold? Is it even possible for the traditions and the character to carry on? As an owner, how do you maintain the old fans while adopting new fans? Is a team’s identity solidified with its ownership?

These questions don’t have easy answers. And as I move closer toward ownership maybe I’ll figure out the answers along the way. But what I do know is that time and time again the old fans often feel left in the dark. We’ve seen it several times throughout pro sports – in Baltimore, Charlotte, Seattle and now Detroit.

Farewell Detroit Shock. You are missed.

Good Night Sports Fans,

Alana