News Summary
Cleveland has secured the 16th expansion team in the WNBA, set to debut in 2028. Led by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, this franchise will focus on elevating women’s basketball in Ohio. With significant community support and initial seat payments indicating strong fan interest, the team aims to engage local youth through various events. Allison Howard has been appointed as the first team president, emphasizing a community-centered approach. The return of women’s pro basketball boosts Cleveland’s sports landscape as it gears up for launch.
Cleveland has been awarded the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) 16th expansion team, set to begin play in 2028. The announcement was made on June 30, 2025, after a competitive bidding process, with Cleveland Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert emerging victorious. This expansion franchise is poised to support the development of basketball talent and revitalize women’s professional basketball in Ohio, making it a notable addition to the region’s sports landscape.
The WNBA’s Commissioner has indicated that Cleveland’s entry into the league is timely, considering the significant growth the WNBA has been experiencing. In assessing potential expansion markets, three key criteria were considered: committed ownership, a passionate fan base, and substantial community support for women’s sports. Cleveland is viewed as fulfilling all these criteria, setting strong foundations for the franchise’s future.
In a significant step toward establishing the new team, Allison Howard has been appointed as its first president. Howard, who is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Rock Entertainment Group, plans to retain her executive role at Rock Entertainment Group until the end of the 2025-26 NBA season. Her leadership vision centers around inspiring the next generation of female athletes and fostering a community-centered approach in the new franchise’s development.
Excitement among fans is palpable, with nearly 7,000 initial seat payments already submitted for the upcoming team. Home games are scheduled to be played at Rocket Arena, located in downtown Cleveland, with practice sessions taking place at Cleveland Clinic Court in Independence. This marks the return of women’s professional basketball to Cleveland, following the Cleveland Rockers’ operation from 1998 to 2003.
In preparation for the 2028 launch, the franchise will facilitate a series of 28 basketball events throughout the Northeast Ohio region. These events will include camps, clinics, coaching sessions, and professional development programs aimed at engaging the community and building anticipation for the new team. The initiative aims to strengthen interest and support for women’s basketball in the area, drawing upon the city’s previous experience with hosting high-profile women’s basketball events, such as the women’s Final Four, which generated a significant $35 million in economic impact.
As the team works toward its inaugural season, branding decisions, including the team’s name, are expected to be unveiled in early 2026. Additional organizational moves, including the hiring of a general manager and a coach, will also take place as more information becomes available ahead of the team’s debut.
The establishment of the Cleveland franchise aligns with the WNBA’s broader goal of expanding to 18 teams by 2030. Alongside Cleveland, cities such as Detroit and Philadelphia are also expected to welcome new franchises after receiving approval from the NBA and WNBA Board of Governors.
Cleveland appears set to embrace the return of professional women’s basketball, with the community support and infrastructure in place to nurture the upcoming franchise. As the team gears up for 2028, it aims to build a strong connection with the local community while advancing the opportunities and visibility of women’s sports in the region.
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Additional Resources
- Cleveland 19 News
- Wikipedia: Women’s National Basketball Association
- Beacon Journal
- Google Search: WNBA Cleveland 2028
- NBA.com – Cleveland Cavaliers
- Google Scholar: WNBA Cleveland
- WKYC News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: WNBA
- Cleveland Magazine
- Google News: WNBA Cleveland Cavs
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CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
