CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) will return to Cleveland in 2028 and on Tuesday, the league named their first president.
Allison Howard currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Rock Entertainment Group and the Cleveland Cavaliers, where she oversees corporate and ticket sales revenue and strategy, corporate partnership, membership sales and service, venue experience, ticket operations and youth sports programming.
According to a news release, Howard will remain in that role until the end of the 2025-26 NBA season.
Allison Howard
Allison Howard(Bingel, Julia | (Source: Rock Entertainment Group)
“Allison comes to this role with an extraordinary track record of leadership in premier sports organizations and expanding the reach of women’s sports. Her experience, coupled with her work ethic, will ignite connection with team members, fans and partners throughout our community,” said Nic Barlage, Rock Entertainment Group, Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Arena CEO.
“It has been energizing to feel the passion of Cleveland WNBA fans across Ohio and to see how quickly our community has already embraced our team,” said Howard. “We’re committed to making this team a source of pride for our city and broader region, to inspire future athletes and to create an environment where everyone belongs and feels welcome. We are building the most inclusive brand in sports. Together starts now.”
The team will play its home games at Rocket Arena in downtown Cleveland and practice at Cleveland Clinic Court in Independence.
The city's new franchise will mark the return of women's professional basketball to Cleveland for the first time since the Cleveland Rockers, one of the league's original eight teams. pic.twitter.com/NTwf8Qpljh
— Cleveland WNBA (@clevelandwnba) June 30, 2025
Merchandise is already available for purchase.
The league will grow to 18 teams by 2030.
Cleveland will begin play in 2028, Detroit in 2029 and Philadelphia the season after, assuming they get approval from the NBA and WNBA Board of Governors. Toronto and Portland will enter the league next year.
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Cleveland was previously home to the Rockers from 1998 until the organization folded in 2003.
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