Cleveland Rockers to return as league’s 16th team for 2028 season

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The Cleveland Rockers will reportedly make a return to the WNBA in the 2028 season. As per reports, Cleveland will be the next city awarded a WNBA franchise. The Rockers are likely to become the second franchise in the current expansion plan after the Portland Fire.

According to Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal, Cleveland will get the WNBA franchise after Dan Gilbert’s record bid of $250 million. Dan Gilbert is the owner of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and the league is likely to accept his bid.

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Cleveland Rockers to join Portland Fire in WNBA return

Tom Friend clarified that Cleveland Rockers’ chances of making a return are “as high as 90 percent,” with the announcement to come in March. The new franchise will make their debut in the 2028 season.

“THE CLEVELAND ROCKERS ARE BACK!!!,” Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb dropped his excitement about the return of the Cleveland Rockers on ‘X’.

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert made a bid for a WNBA franchise in November as the league is planning to expand. WNBA has made rapid growth in 2024 and also became the biggest sports brand in the US.

Dan Gilbert will not change the name of the franchise. The Cavs owner will revive the Rockers, who played from 1997 to 2003 in the WNBA. Their former owner, Gordon Gund decided he would no longer operate the team due to poor revenue and other issues.

‘Rockers’ refers to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Cleveland’s rock ‘n’ roll heritage. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will be the home for the WNBA franchise.

Three more franchises will join WNBA by 2026

In an interview with ESPN, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirmed last year that the league is making progress towards introducing a 16th team, with a target date set for 2027 or 2028.

Golden State Valkyries will be the league’s 13th franchise in 2025. In 2026, Toronto will be awarded a WNBA franchise, marking a historic milestone as the league’s first-ever international franchise outside the United States. Portland Fire will also return to the league next year after a long hiatus.