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6d ago

Cleveland Sirens Unveiled as WNBA’s 16th Team

The Lake Erie–inspired brand reflects Dan Gilbert’s $250 million investment, signaling strong early ticket demand plus sponsor backing ahead of the 2028 debut.

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Jul 30, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; WNBA referee holds the official game ball at a game between the Minnesota Lynx and Toronto Tempo at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images.
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Overview

  • The franchise formally revealed the Cleveland Sirens name, logo and branding at Rocket Arena on Tuesday, confirming the team will join the WNBA as its 16th franchise and begin play in 2028.
  • Rock Entertainment Group, owned by Dan Gilbert, paid a reported $250 million expansion fee to secure the club and has positioned Rocket Arena as the team’s home with Cleveland Clinic Courts set to be the practice site.
  • The Sirens brand was chosen after a year‑long, fan‑informed process that ties the identity to Lake Erie and Northeast Ohio rather than reviving the old Cleveland Rockers name.
  • The organization has already collected roughly 8,500–9,000 season‑ticket deposits and announced founding partners and a jersey sponsor, signaling early commercial momentum for the new franchise.
  • Ownership acknowledged trademark complications around the Rockers name and said it coordinated trademark filings to avoid conflicts with other pro teams using 'Sirens,' underscoring the legal and branding work behind modern WNBA expansion as the league grows to 18 teams by 2030.