A WNBA team could soon be in Cleveland again, after Dan Gilbert rock entertainment group pushed an expansion bid Wednesday.
“We are actively seeking to bring a WNBA expansion team to Cleveland. Cleveland’s dynamic ecosystem of world-class assets, passionate and engaged sports fans, coupled with a culture that has allowed professional sports to thrive , places our team and our city in a unique position to provide an ideal home for the W’s next franchise,” said Nic Barlage, CEO of Cleveland CavaliersRock Entertainment Group and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Cleveland last had a WNBA team from 1997 to 2003, the Cleveland Rockers.
Gilbert’s team believes the city of Cleveland has the energy and momentum to have a thriving WNBA team in Northeast Ohio.
“Our mission has long been to use our platform to unite our community in ways that promote equal opportunity at all levels,” Barlage said.
Last month, the Cleveland Soccer Group submitted its 2026 bid. National Women’s Soccer League team. This came a year after their Men’s League NEXT Pro team was announced.
The newest expansion team to join the The WNBA will be the Golden State Valkyries. They are expected to start playing in 2025.
This article was originally published in the Akron Beacon Journal: WNBA expansion team could return to Cleveland
