Before we get into the present day discussion, I want to start things off by paying homage. Going back generations at this point, Detroit has always been a top-tier sports town. From Hall of Famers like Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders, to Stanley Cup Champion and current general manager of the Detroit Red Wings Steve Yzerman, there is no shortage of legends to choose from.
That’s part of what made that stretch several years ago so difficult for so many fans, myself included. When all four of the city’s teams—the Lions, Pistons, Tigers, and Red Wings—were seriously going through it at once (think back to the year 2020), it understandably became a tough pill to swallow.
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However, six years now probably feels like a lifetime ago for those players who are still on the present-day rosters, and during that time, more than a few superstars have been born in Motown. With that in mind, it felt like a good time to revisit this topic—who is currently the biggest household name in Detroit sports?
My answer: I am going with Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham. Obviously, there are several bonafide options for the Lions, including players with national brand deals like running back Jahmyr Gibbs and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. For the Tigers, Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal for the Tigers certainly has a case to be made, but baseball lacks the global appeal of basketball.
With some of the old guard of the NBA beginning to wind down their careers, it feels like Cunningham is aware of what is a bit of a unique opportunity, and is the biggest reason as to why the Pistons sit atop the NBA standings. On top of that, Cunningham’s new signature shoe with Nike should help cement his status as a global star. And yes, maybe there is a bit of recency bias in-play here after Cunningham’s dismantling of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
What about you? Who do you think is the biggest star in Detroit sports today? Let us know in the comments below.