CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) will return to Cleveland in 2028.
The team will play its home games at Rocket Arena in downtown Cleveland and practice at Cleveland Clinic Court in Independence.
“Cleveland is a city built on loyalty, pride, and a deep passion for the game of basketball,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “We’re excited to welcome Cleveland back to the WNBA at a time of extraordinary momentum for our league. As one of our original eight franchises, this city played a foundational role in the WNBA’s early days, and we’re honored to return and build on that legacy. We’re incredibly grateful to Dan Gilbert and Rock Entertainment Group for their commitment to bringing women’s professional basketball back to Northeast Ohio – and we can’t wait to see the impact this team will have on and off the court.”
Cleveland was previously home to the Rockers from 1998 until the organization folded in 2003.
Reports indicate that the team will retain the original “Rockers” name. However, the deal has not yet been finalized.
“The WNBA’s return to Cleveland marks a pivotal moment for women’s sports. Years from now, we will reflect on this day as a truly monumental point in Cleveland’s sporting history,” said Dan Gilbert, Rock Entertainment Group Chairman. “The passion, support, and continued commitment of our community for our professional sports teams played an integral role in making this possible. We’re confident that this team will honor our city’s enthusiastic support of women’s sports, reinvigorate our WNBA fanbase, and help cultivate the next generation of women’s basketball enthusiasts and athletes. We’re grateful to the WNBA and Commissioner Engelbert for this opportunity and for their unwavering belief in Cleveland.”
The league will grow to 18 teams by 2030, including, Golden State (2025), Toronto (2026), Portland (2026), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030).
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