“You’re not Michael Jordan, you’re Grant Hill. Don’t worry about trying to be like him.” This was NBA legend Magic Johnson’s advice to a young Grant Hill who was being seen as the next big thing in the NBA after Michael Jordan. Hill, who had this heart-to-heart with Magic in the late 90s, took his mentor’s advice a little too seriously and went on to become an NBA Hall of Famer. But even after retirement, Hill isn’t done making moves. In fact, he’s now going head-to-head with his mentor in an entirely new arena.

“I am who I am. People are going to make comparisons, but I’m Grant Hill. And I’m just going to get out there and do what I gotta do and have fun doin’ it,” sticking true to his words post-Johnson’s advice, Hill holds stakes in NBA, MLS, and NWSL teams. Grant made all the right moves after retirement. However, one missed opportunity still lingers—a chance to own a WNBA team. Now, he’s in the final stages of making that dream a reality. And if the deal goes through, Hill could position himself as a direct rival to none other than billionaire NBA icon Magic Johnson.

Grant Hill and fellow former NBA star Chris Webber are looking to bring a WNBA team back to the city that helped shape their careers. A new ownership group, led by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, has officially placed a bid to bring the league back to Detroit, MI. With Hill and Webber on board, the project carries not only financial muscle but also deep personal ties to the city.

Detroit is no stranger to WNBA success. The city was once home to the Detroit Shock, a powerhouse franchise that won three WNBA championships between 1998 and 2009. However, the team relocated first to Tulsa, OK, and later to Arlington, TX, where it now competes as the Dallas Wings. Despite the Shock’s departure, Detroit has remained a basketball city at heart, and Hill’s group believes it’s time to bring the WNBA back.

This potential revival is more than just a business move—it’s a full-circle moment for Hill and Webber. Both played for the Pistons at different points in their NBA careers and now they have a chance to contribute to the city’s basketball legacy in a new way. With their leadership, Detroit could soon rejoin the WNBA landscape.

So, how close can Hill get to Magic Johnson’s level? Right now, Magic has stakes in five major franchises, including the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and the NFL’s Washington Commanders. Hill, in comparison, holds ownership in three. But if this WNBA deal goes through, he’ll significantly close the gap—cementing his place as a major player in the sports ownership world. Let’s look at Hill’s missed opportunity.

Grant Hill’s missed WNBA chance

Last September, Grant Hill sat down with Bloomberg Live, and when the conversation turned to WNBA investments, his response caught everyone off guard. “Yeah, well, I mean, full disclosure, I tried to look into buying the [Atlanta] Dream back in 2017, and that didn’t quite work out,” Hill admitted.

Still, Hill’s track record in sports ownership speaks for itself. Since 2015, he’s been deeply involved with the Atlanta Hawks, not just as an owner but as vice chairman of the $3.8 billion franchise’s board. But he didn’t stop there. In 2023, he and his wife, Tamia, expanded their portfolio, securing stakes in Orlando City SC and the Orlando Pride. Even after missing out on the Dream, he never let go of his ambition.

“I wish I could go back to 2017,” Hill reflected, acknowledging the explosive rise of women’s basketball, driven by stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. But even now, he’s not giving up. “I mean, look, I would love it. My daughters are athletes. I have a women’s or a girls’ youth basketball program in central Florida. So, I’m a big believer in women’s sports,” he shared.

From dominating the hardwood to building his sports empire, Hill’s journey is still unfolding. And who knows? If he plays his cards right, he might just close the gap with Magic Johnson after all.