Who Are the Owners of Cleveland Rockers? Everything You Need to Know About WNBA’s Expansion Team

The W revisits the origins! After years without a team, Cleveland is likely to welcome women’s pro basketball back to a passionate sports town. One of the league’s original teams, the Rockers folded in 2003, but the demand for a franchise never faded. Now, with fresh investment and a committed ownership group, the team is reportedly gearing up to take the court again at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

This revival is part of the WNBA’s expansion as the league continues to grow, and Cleveland’s strong basketball culture makes it a perfect fit. But who’s leading the charge? With a high-profile ownership group investing in the team, the Rockers are set to be built for long-term success. Here’s everything you need to know about the people behind Cleveland’s newest WNBA franchise.

Cleveland’s WNBA Revival

The Cleveland Rockers were one of the WNBA’s original eight teams, competing from 1997 to 2003. Despite a promising start, the franchise folded due to financial struggles and declining attendance under then-owner Gordon Gund, who also owned the Cleveland Cavaliers at the time.

Now, more than two decades later, the Rockers are set to make their return as part of the WNBA’s plan to expand to 16 teams by 2028. With the Golden State Valkyries debuting in 2025 and the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire following in 2026, Cleveland joins a growing list of cities embracing women’s basketball. Philadelphia and Houston are also in the mix for future franchises.

An official announcement is expected by March 2025, confirming Cleveland as the WNBA’s next expansion city. The team, set to take the court in 2028, will be led by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, whose group has reportedly put in a record-setting $250 million bid to bring the Rockers back.

“The WNBA has received formal bids from many interested ownership groups in various markets and we are currently in the process of evaluating these proposals,” a WNBA spokesperson said in a statement.

Dan Gilbert and the Cavaliers are making big moves in Cleveland, with plans to build the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center—a key part of Gilbert and Bedrock’s $3.5 billion Cuyahoga Riverfront Master Plan. While the NBA’s Cavaliers will train at the new facility, the Rockers will take over the team’s current state-of-the-art training center in Independence, Ohio. Nestled in a wooded area, the facility features two practice courts, a team theater, and a fully equipped weight room.

Cleveland’s return and the race for new teams

Gilbert, who has invested over $1 billion into Cleveland’s sports and entertainment scene since buying the Cavaliers in 2005, isn’t stopping there. He plans to continue upgrading the Rockers’ new training home, ensuring the team has everything it needs to compete at the highest level.

Just two weeks ago, the WNBA filed trademarks for the Cleveland Rockers and three other former franchises—the Houston Comets, Detroit Shock, and Miami Sol —hinting at potential candidates for the league’s 17th and 18th teams. While nothing is set in stone, these filings offer a glimpse into cities that could be next in line for expansion.

According to sources, Houston is in the strongest position to land the 17th franchise. The Rockets’ recently built a 75,000-square-foot practice facility, owner Tilman Fertitta’s net worth of over $10 billion, and the team’s established NBA infrastructure makes it an attractive option for the league. Philadelphia is also a frontrunner, with reports suggesting that when 76ers owner Josh Harris partnered with Comcast on a new arena in South Philly, securing a WNBA team was a top priority.

Steve Greenberg, the managing director of Allen & Co., which is handling the expansion process, has remained tight-lipped on the bidding. However, sources say bids have ranged from $200 million to $250 million, with the Cavaliers likely securing the 16th franchise thanks to their top-end $250 million offer, NBA-backed operations, and expanding facilities.

As part of the WNBA’s broader strategy to expand to 16 teams by 2028, Cleveland’s revival sets the stage for a new era in women’s basketball. With a growing list of cities eyeing future franchises, the league’s future is brighter than ever.