CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Women’s Basketball Association is returning to The Land!
Though the new team’s first game won’t be played until 2028, Cleveland is already calling the move a win.
This isn’t the first time a WNBA team’s home court will be in Cleveland.
The city was previously home to the Rockers, one of the WNBA’s original eight teams, who played from 1998 until the organization folded in 2003.
Cleveland’s new team is the league’s 16th franchise.
Two decades later, the demand for women’s sports has seen a significant increase, making a WNBA team like the Rockers even more missed.
In fact, Cleveland’s first-ever women’s sports bar, The W Sports Bar at 5428 Detroit Ave., has been manifesting this moment:
The WNBA team’s home games will be played at Rocket Arena, same as the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs shared a warm welcome to who they’ll share 1 Center Court and Cleveland Clinic Court in Independence for practice with:
The news of Ohio getting a WNBA team has even excited Gov. Mike DeWine:
Fran and I are excited to have the @WNBA return to Cleveland! The city has passionate fans and a rich history in sports, including being one of the eight original WNBA home cities. We look forward to seeing the energy this team brings to Cleveland and the entire state of Ohio!…
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) June 30, 2025
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