Cleveland WNBA Celebrates Return of Professional Women’s Basketball to Ohio with Community Commitment
Cleveland WNBA Celebrates Return of Professional Women’s Basketball to Ohio with Community Commitment
Cleveland WNBA will host 28 unique activations designed and programmed for girls and basketball across Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and Western New York by June 30, 2026.
CLEVELAND – Cleveland WNBA celebrates the return of women’s professional basketball to Ohio with the commitment to host 28 unique activations, featuring camps, clinics, coach training sessions and professional development opportunities designed and programmed for girls and young women across Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and Western New York by June 30, 2026. The commitment will provide opportunities for female athletes to develop their basketball skills, build confidence and connect directly with members of the Cleveland WNBA franchise and its leadership team.
The announcement was made at Rocket Arena during a press event commemorating Rock Entertainment Group’s – led by Chairman Dan Gilbert – successful bid for Cleveland to become the WNBA’s 16th expansion market. Attendees included WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, County Executive Chris Ronayne, Cleveland WNBA ownership and leadership, along with seven former Cleveland WNBA players and more than 700 female student-athletes from 29 elementary, middle and high schools and colleges across Northeast Ohio.
“Bringing women’s professional basketball back to Ohio is a source of immense pride for our entire organization and region,” said Grant Gilbert, Cleveland Cavaliers Vice President of Basketball and Business. “When we build, we’re all in. Cleveland’s WNBA franchise will be known for its investment in both championship-caliber culture and the community.”
The WNBA first announced that Cleveland would become the home to the league’s 16th team on June 30, 2025. The team, set to tip off play in 2028 at Rocket Arena, has already received nearly 7,000 initial payments on memberships.
“Cleveland is joining the WNBA family at the most exciting time in the history of our league,” said Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner. “When we started to explore expansion opportunities, we looked for markets that could deliver on three things: a committed ownership group, a passionate and dedicated fan base and the community that embraces the power of women’s sports. Cleveland delivers on all three.”
By partnering with leaders, supporters and fans throughout the region, Cleveland WNBA is committed to building the most inclusive and welcoming brand in sports, ensuring access, inspiration and community impact are at the heart of everything it does.
“Our pledge of 28 unique community activations for girls and women’s basketball represents the start of Cleveland WNBA’s long-term commitment to inclusivity and connection,” said Allison Howard, Cleveland WNBA President of Business Operations. “We believe that if you want real, lasting impact, you have to first listen, show up and connect before you ever draw up a playbook. That’s why every decision we make is grounded in empowering Cleveland, letting the city’s energy, ideas, and spirit shape the team—long before the action hits the court. When community leads, greatness follows.”
Fans who wish to place a $28 initial payment for a future Cleveland WNBA team membership can do so at WNBACleveland.com. For franchise business and community updates and more information, fans can follow @ClevelandWNBA on X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and subscribe to text alerts by texting WCLE to 30594.