Cleveland's Cavaliers ownership group to make offer for WNBA franchise
Cleveland is seeking to rejoin the WNBA.
Rock Entertainment Group, which has connections to the NBA's Cavaliers, is competing to bring a WNBA expansion team back to Northeast Ohio.
"It has always been our goal to use our platform to unite our community and promote equal opportunities," stated Nic Barlage, CEO of the Cavaliers, Rock Entertainment Group, and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, in a press release on Wednesday. "As part of this mission, we are actively pursuing the addition of a WNBA expansion team in Cleveland.
"Cleveland's thriving ecosystem of top-notch assets, dedicated and passionate sports fans, and a culture that supports professional sports make our city and team the perfect fit for the WNBA's next franchise."
The Cleveland Rockers, one of the original eight WNBA teams, competed in the league from 1997 to 2003. They reached the playoffs four times and made it to the Eastern Conference finals in 2000 before the franchise folded due to then-Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund's unsuccessful search for a new owner.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has expressed a desire to add a 16th team by the 2028 season. In the next two seasons, the league will expand to 15 teams with the addition of Golden State, Portland, and Toronto.
