The WNBA is expanding once again, and Cleveland is the latest city to land a franchise. League officials are expected to formally announce the addition of Cleveland as the WNBA’s 16th team by March 2025, with the franchise set to tip off in 2028.
The expansion team is most likely to revive the Cleveland Rockers, the city’s former WNBA squad that played in Cleveland from 1997 to 2003 as one of the league’s original eight teams. The franchise is expected to be affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers and will play all home games at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, which is the current home of the NBA’s Cavaliers and the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.
“We are thrilled to bring professional women’s basketball back to Cleveland,” said a league source familiar with the expansion plans and development. “The city has a strong sports culture and a passionate fan base, making it an ideal location for growth.”
The WNBA has seen a large surge in popularity in recent years, fueled by star power and new player additions, increased media coverage and investment in women’s sports. The 2023 and 2024 seasons set record-high attendance and television ratings, with growing interest in expansion beyond traditional basketball markets.
Cleveland’s selection follows the WNBA’s recent addition of a San Francisco based team, which will begin play in 2025 under Golden State Warriors ownership. Other cities, including Philadelphia, Toronto and Nashville, were rumored to be in the running for the next franchise before Cleveland emerged as the frontrunner.
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is expected to be involved in the new team’s ownership group, further solidifying the connection between the city’s NBA and WNBA franchises as a whole.
The return of a WNBA team is a major victory for Cleveland’s sports scene. The city has a deep basketball history, producing stars at both the collegiate and professional levels. Fans have been eager and waiting for a WNBA presence since the Rockers folded due to ownership issues in 2003.
Longtime Cleveland sports fans remember the Rockers’ competitive years in the early 2000’s, led by standout players like Jennifer Rizzotti and Ann Wauters. With the return of the WNBA, there is clear hope that a new generation of women’s basketball stars will emerge in Cleveland soon.
While the official team name and branding are yet to be confirmed, the expansion team will spend the next few years preparing for its launch. Key steps include hiring a front office staff and coaching staff, building a roster through the expansion draft, and developing community engagement initiatives to connect with local fans around the city.
As Cleveland prepares to welcome professional women’s basketball back to town, anticipation is very high for what the new WNBA franchise will bring. Whether the team reclaims the Rockers name or adopts a fresh brand new identity, Cleveland is officially back in the game for the near future.
