Allison Howard appointed as first president of Cleveland's WNBA expansion team

The as-yet-to-be-named Cleveland WNBA team has a new leader. Rock Entertainment Group and Cleveland WNBA have appointed Allison Howard as the first president of the expansion team. Howard will lead the business operations of the team, which will play its inaugural season in 2028 at Rocket Arena. &zwnj;"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," she said in a statement. "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." Howard will continue to serve 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. She will remain in this role until the end of the 2025-26 NBA season, while initiating and activating the operations for Cleveland WNBA. "Allison comes to this role with an extraordinary track record of leadership in premier sports organizations and expanding the reach of women's sports," said Nic Barlage, CEO of the Cavs, Rock Entertainment Group and Rocket Arena. "Her experience, coupled with her work ethic, will ignite connection with team members, fans and partners throughout our community. "Guided by (owner) Dan Gilbert's vision, Allison's leadership will establish the standard for what it means for a women's professional team to be woven into its city and state. Focusing on accelerating the movement that is propelling women's basketball to new heights." As president, Howard will oversee all aspects of the franchise's business operations. This includes culture and team member development, community engagement, fan experience and the commercial operations of the organization. Prior to joining Rock Entertainment Group and the Cavs, Howard served as the first president of the Kansas City Current, a professional women's soccer team that competes in the National Women's Soccer League. In this position, Howard oversaw the team's expansion in 2022, all business operations, revenue streams and culture development. Notably, she secured naming rights for the first soccer stadium built specifically for a professional women's team and training center, while increasing corporate partnership revenue by more than 300 percent and selling out all season tickets and premium hospitality options. Howard will be joined by Kiersten Green, who has been named vice president of ticket sales and service, and Tamzin Barroilhet, who will be senior vice president of corporate partnerships and commercial strategy. The WNBA first announced that Cleveland would become the home to the league's 16th team on June 30, 2025. The team, which has already received more than 6,000 initial payments on memberships, is set to begin play in 2028 at Rocket Arena. Bob Finnan can be reached at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.