Cleveland Sirens Join WNBA for 2028

Cleveland's WNBA return takes shape

Cleveland is getting back in the women's basketball game - but not the way some might have expected. The city's new WNBA franchise, the Sirens, was officially unveiled on Tuesday, with a 2028 debut on the horizon and a brand built entirely from scratch.

There will be no resurrection of the Cleveland Rockers, who folded in 2003 after six seasons. Instead, the Sirens arrive as a fresh entity, though the franchise has been careful to honour its predecessor's legacy.

Sharing the Cavaliers' home

The Sirens will take the court at Rocket Arena, sharing the venue with the NBA's Cavaliers. The Cavs' existing performance centre is also being repurposed to serve as the Sirens' dedicated training facility.

Part of a broader WNBA expansion

As the league's 16th team, Cleveland joins a wave of growth. The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire have already entered the fold, with Detroit and Philadelphia set to follow in 2029 and 2030 respectively.

Identity rooted in Lake Erie

Allison Howard, appointed president of business operations in August 2025, has overseen a branding process deeply tied to community input. Lake Erie proved a central inspiration - the Sirens' blue colour palette draws directly from the lake while also nodding to the Rockers' original colours. The logo itself evokes sound waves and the movement of a siren.

Bridging past and future

Former Rockers players are expected to feature in the brand launch, and an alumni programme is in development. The franchise has also partnered with Cleveland Clinic to support female athletes, signalling ambitions well beyond the court.