Cleveland’s new WNBA franchise is still playing the name game, but the wait is almost over. Team owners say they are ready to roll out an official nickname later this spring, a moment that will finally turn months of online debate and season ticket speculation into a real, marketable identity. For a city that has not seen a WNBA club since the Cleveland Rockers folded in 2003, the reveal is shaping up as a genuine civic milestone.
When the name will arrive
As reported by Crain's Cleveland Business, Rock Entertainment Group has penciled in a formal unveiling for later this spring and is planning a public event to introduce the nickname. That timeline finally caps months of speculation over whether ownership will revive the old Rockers brand or head in a totally new direction for a 21st century audience.
Where they’ll play and who’s running the franchise
Rock Entertainment Group says the team will play home games at Rocket Arena and use Cleveland Clinic Courts as its practice facility, according to the organization’s announcement. The WNBA has said the Cleveland franchise is scheduled to begin play in the 2028 season, per AP News.
How the decision has been shaped
Owners have leaned on surveys and focus groups, and Sports Business Journal reports that more than 7,000 fans who put down season ticket deposits were asked to weigh in on possible nicknames. Sports Business Journal says Rock Entertainment Group narrowed the options, submitted three names to the league office for preliminary approval, and is coordinating jersey work with Nike and potential corporate patch partners as part of the final branding push.
Front office and brand building
The franchise has already staffed its front office, with Allison Howard hired as team president to oversee commercial operations and community engagement. "We're committed to making this team a source of pride for our city," Howard said in remarks quoted by ESPN.
Why the name still matters
Whether ownership brings back the Rockers name or unveils something entirely new, the choice carries real historical weight. Cleveland was home to one of the WNBA’s original clubs, and the fresh identity will inevitably be stacked up against that legacy. The expansion and naming effort are part of a broader push to grow women’s basketball across Northeast Ohio, and Rock Entertainment Group has noted that the franchise will play at Rocket Arena while inviting fans to sign up for membership updates.
The official reveal will almost certainly spark a rush of new merchandise, corporate partnerships and spirited civic debate, giving Clevelanders a fresh team identity to rally around. Fans who have already put down deposits, or who just want to stay in the loop, can sign up through the club’s membership channels for the latest on the unveiling.
