rewrite this content and keep HTML tags (remove this from content : rewrite this content and keep HTML tags)
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Charge put the spotlight on women’s sports, hosting WNBA Night.
The Charge added to the growing momentum for the city’s incoming WNBA franchise with a promotional night at Public Hall that featured specialty warmup gear, an appearance from former Cleveland WNBA player Janice Braxton and performances by female-led entertainment groups.
Cleveland WNBA president of business operations, Allison Howard said the team has already received 8,000 initial payments from fans who want to be season ticket holders when the team starts playing in 2028.
“I think these women-specific teams across everywhere — WNBA, NWSL, PWHL — those women coming back from winning the Olympics, they are filling up NHL arenas,” Howard said. “It truly is rising tides raise all ships.”
Cleveland Charge general manager Liron Fanan, who is a trailblazer in her own right as the first woman to serve as the team’s GM, said she hopes the arrival of a WNBA team in Cleveland and events like the Charge’s theme night can encourage young girls to follow their dreams.
“Women’s sports are equal to men’s sports,” Fanan said. “There shouldn’t be a difference. I’m excited to see this group of women come here and dominate basketball, and have the fans come with kids and families and have fun at Rocket during the summer.”
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
