Cleveland Eyes WNBA Expansion, Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert Leads Charge!

Almost 25 years since its original WNBA team was lost, Cleveland is eager to host another.

A local group spearheaded by Dan Gilbert, the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, intends to propose the establishment of a new WNBA expansion team, they informed CNBC’s Jessica Golden on Wednesday morning.

“There’s this exciting blend of infrastructure, cultural elements, and core components that position Northeast Ohio, and Cleveland in particular, as an excellent candidate for WNBA expansion,” explained Cavaliers CEO Nic Barlage to Golden.

Cleveland was previously home to the WNBA’s Cleveland Rockers from 1997 to 2003. The franchise was discontinued after seven competitive seasons, leaving behind a record of 108 wins and 112 losses.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has announced plans to expand the league to 16 teams by the 2028 season. The Bay Area, Toronto, and Portland are on track to get teams in the near future, while Cleveland is among several cities hoping to secure the 16th spot.

“It’s encouraging to see such high demand from numerous cities,” Engelbert shared last month through Golden. “As more people watch the WNBA and witness our growth, the caliber of our players, and the quality of the games, there’s increasing interest in bringing teams to their cities,” she added.

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