WNBA returning to Cleveland in 2028 (UPDATED)

The WNBA is officially coming back to Cleveland. The team, which has yet to reveal its name, will become the Women's National Basketball Association's 16th team and will begin play in the 2028 season. It will be operated by Rock Entertainment Group, the entity that houses Dan Gilbert's sports and entertainment properties, and will play its home games at Rocket Arena. The Cleveland team will practice and train at Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, currently used by the parent Cavaliers. "Cleveland is a city built on loyalty, pride and a deep passion for the game of basketball," WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. "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." The Cleveland Rockers competed in the WNBA from 1997 to 2003. The franchise folded after declining attendance and mounting financial losses. Gilbert, also owner of the Cavs, said 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," he said. "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 Rockers made the playoffs four times in their seven seasons, the last time in 2003 when they finished 17-17 in the regular season under coach Dan Hughes. Linda Hill-McDonald coached the team for its first three seasons before being fired in 1999. On Sept. 19, 2003, the Rockers disbanded operation of the franchise. Their attendance dropped to an average of 7,400 fans that year after a high of 10,350 in 1998. Local fans tried to recruit new investors to take over ownership of the team from Gordon Gund, but to no avail. The Cleveland players were sent to other teams in a dispersal draft held in January 2004. This expansion announcement comes amid the WNBA's historic growth. Cleveland joins a rapidly expanding WNBA, which will grow to 18 teams by 2030, with additions in Golden State (2025), Toronto (2026), Portland (2026), Detroit (2029) and Philadelphia (2030). Gilbert purchased the majority interest in the Cavs in 2005 from Gund for a reported $275 million. Under his leadership, they clinched seven Central Division championships, five Eastern Conference titles, and most notably, the 2016 NBA championship. Gilbert's diverse sports portfolio also includes the NBA G League Cleveland Charge and the AHL Cleveland Monsters. Last October, the Cavs broke ground on the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, an elite sports performance training facility in downtown Cleveland on the Cuyahoga Riverfront, which is expected to open in 2027. Contact Bob Finnan at (440) 329-7135 or rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.