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Cleveland has joined the race for a WNBA expansion bid, following the previous team, the Cleveland Rockers, which existed from 1997 to 2003. The bid is led by Rock Entertainment Group, affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and an official WNBA Cleveland website is already up.
Nic Barlage from Rocket Entertainment Group expressed optimism about Cleveland’s potential as a home for the new WNBA franchise, citing the city’s strong sports culture and engaged fan base.
Three new expansion teams have been announced to join the WNBA in the upcoming years: the Golden State Valkyries in 2025, with Toronto and Portland following in 2026. An additional 16th expansion city is also in the works.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned the high demand from multiple cities interested in hosting a WNBA team, attributing it to the growing popularity of the league and its players.
Aside from Cleveland, other cities in contention for an expansion team include Kansas City, St. Louis, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Austin, Dallas, Milwaukee, Nashville, and Denver.
The estimated value of the 16th expansion franchise is projected to be between $200 and $250 million by the Sports Business Journal.
NBA star Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers expressed his support for the city acquiring a WNBA team, emphasizing Cleveland’s strong sports presence with teams in the NBA, NFL, and MLB.
Mitchell believes Cleveland is deserving of a WNBA team and praises the league’s growth and competitiveness, highlighting the city’s potential as a prime location for a new franchise.
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