Professional sports franchises are often measured by wins and losses. But increasingly, they’re also being measured by their impact on the communities they call home.
The Detroit Pistons are making a compelling case that investing in local entrepreneurs is good for business — and good for Detroit.
After a recent conversation hosted by the Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA), I asked Pistons executive Melanie Harris about the importance of connecting and supporting local entrepreneurs.
Detroit-owned businesses aren’t simply a community relations initiative. It’s part of the organization’s broader commitment to strengthening the city’s economic foundation.
“Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of any city, and certainly in Detroit,” Harris said. “We have so much opportunity, and there are so many native Detroiters who, for generations, have built businesses here.”
That statement captures an important reality. Small businesses account for many businesses in Michigan and collectively employ hundreds of thousands of people. Every new contract, supplier relationship, or partnership with a local entrepreneur creates opportunities that extend well beyond a single transaction. It helps create jobs, circulate dollars locally, and build generational wealth.
For the Pistons, that philosophy extends throughout the organization.
“We make every effort to support Detroit-owned and operated businesses in all that we do—inside the arena, outside the arena, in our practice facility, in front of the scenes and behind the scenes,” Harris said.
That approach matters because professional sports organizations have significant purchasing power. Whether sourcing food vendors, event services, marketing support, technology, construction, merchandise, or professional services, every purchasing decision represents an opportunity to strengthen the local economy.
Supplier diversity and local procurement have become competitive advantages for organizations that recognize the value of investing where they operate. When local entrepreneurs win contracts, they hire employees, purchase additional goods and services, and often reinvest profits back into their neighborhoods.
Detroit has a rich entrepreneurial history. From neighborhood retailers to manufacturers, restaurants, technology startups, and professional service firms, locally-owned businesses have long fueled the city’s resilience through both prosperous and challenging times.
Harris believes the relationship between the Pistons and Detroit entrepreneurs will only continue to grow.
“The more opportunities we have to support entrepreneurs, the more impactful it will be,” she said.
She pointed to the arrival of Detroit’s future WNBA franchise as another opportunity to expand those partnerships.
“Especially when we have the WNBA team come to town, that’s a great opportunity for us to engage more entrepreneurs,” Harris noted.
That observation highlights an often-overlooked benefit of professional sports expansion. New teams mean more games, more fans, more events, more vendors, and ultimately more opportunities for local businesses to participate in the economic activity surrounding sports and entertainment.
For entrepreneurs, relationships with major organizations like the Pistons can become transformational. Beyond the immediate revenue, these partnerships can provide credibility, visibility, and experience that open doors to additional corporate opportunities.
The Pistons’ commitment also sends a broader message: successful cities are built when anchor institutions intentionally invest in the businesses that surround them.
As Detroit continues its economic evolution, entrepreneurship will remain one of its greatest competitive strengths. Organizations that leverage their influence to create opportunities for local businesses are doing more than supporting economic development — they’re helping build a stronger, more resilient city.
In the end, championships inspire a city. But investing in local entrepreneurs helps sustain it.
We invite readers, business owners, and future entrepreneurs to follow along, ask questions, and engage. If you have story ideas or questions, you can email Lee at mark@leegroupinnovation.com or visit leegroupinnovation.com.
Based on reporting by Michigan Chronicle.
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