Cleveland is poised to make a roaring comeback in the women's basketball scene with local enthusiasm running high for a potential WNBA franchise. As per the reports by WKYC, the WNBA is seriously considering the addition of a Cleveland team for its 2028 lineup.
It's been over two decades since the Cleveland Rockers disbanded in 2003, and, the city's landscape of supporters and corporate backing has been itching for a return to form. In an enthusiastic nod to the city's history, the Cavaliers' umbrella organization, Rock Entertainment Group, has explicitly expressed interest in reviving the WNBA presence in Cleveland. According to Cleveland19, they might even breathe new life into the "Rockers" name, a legacy move that should spike local interest.
The potential franchise, which Sports Business Journal's Tom Friend pegs with a bid around a record $250 million, would mark an exciting expansion period for the league that might not stop at Cleveland. As Sports Illustrated highlighted, sources close to the matter suggest the WNBA could broaden its horizons even further, considering one or two additional franchises. This could inflate the league's company to 18, a sure-tell sign of the sport's proliferating appeal.
Drawing parallels with last year's NCAA Women's Final Four, which took place at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the city showed impressive gusto with near 37,000 attendees across two sell-out sessions. The championship title contest outperformed its male counterpart in viewership, David Gilbert, CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland, told WKYC The renewed interest in women's basketball in "The Land" is palpable, and a WNBA team could serve as a beacon for visiting fans, much like the Cavs.
However, this expansionary tale isn't just about filling seats or scrubbing up long-dormant brand names. If approved, the Cleveland Rockers' homecoming would be nestled in the city's contemporary sports epicenter – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Cavaliers' new training facility, the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, is expected to open its doors in 2027, right in time to support the burgeoning franchise, as suggested in Sports Illustrated. Pending a formal announcement, which could come as early as March, Cleveland could be poised to rekindle its pro women’s basketball flame and help propel the WNBA into a new era of growth and recognition.
