Cleveland, Ohio, WNBA Franchise Brand Identity Unveiled

The name and brand identity for Cleveland, Ohio’s WNBA expansion franchise has been unveiled as the Cleveland Sirens.

Owned and operated by Rock Entertainment Group and Chairman Dan Gilbert, the Cleveland Sirens will begin play as the WNBA’s 16th franchise at Rocket Arena in the 2028 season. Gilbert has paid a $250 million expansion fee to secure Cleveland’s return to the WNBA after an absence of 25 years.

The new WNBA franchise will be kept distinct and separate from NBA franchise the Cleveland Cavaliers, which were founded in 1970 and also play at Rocket Arena.

“The enthusiasm and support behind the Cleveland Sirens underscore Cleveland’s role in the league’s next chapter of growth and affirm our readiness for a return of women’s professional basketball,” said Rock Entertainment Group CEO Nic Barlage. “From the beginning, our vision has been to build a franchise that harnesses the power, visibility and opportunity that define this moment in women’s sports and fortifies the city’s momentum.”

Cleveland Sirens’ name and brand are the product of a year-long, regionalized, fan-informed process. The name is designed to embody the energy, resilience and passion that define Northeast Ohio, as well as the force of Cleveland’s Lake Erie, while the identity reflects a city shaped by its waterfront.

Meanwhile, the logo features a color palette of Sirens blue and Erie blue to draw on the hues of Lake Erie. Furthermore, it will pay homage to the Cleveland Rockers, which competed in the WNBA from 1997 until its folding in 2003, when Owner Gordon Gund was unable to find a new buyer.

“The Cleveland Sirens are sharp, unapologetic, fearless and relentless, representative of this region, our Great Lake and the future of our city and women’s basketball,” said Allison Howard, president of business operations at the Cleveland Sirens. “Powered by unrivaled fandom and a level of civic pride found only on the shores of Lake Erie, the Sirens will sound a new era for women’s basketball while creating space for the next generation to dream even bigger.”

Professional Development Grants

During the franchise’s brand reveal event at Rocket Arena, the Cleveland Sirens also announced a $28,000 grant to support FORWARD Girls Leadership Academy, Ohio’s first tuition-free, all-girls public high school, opening this August. The grant will fund a new dance and aerobics studio, provide all students with FORWARD-branded gym uniforms, and deliver coaching support, youth clinics, and mentorship opportunities.

To date, the Cleveland Sirens have hosted 40 events across Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Western New York, engaging more than 3,500 girls ages 8-17 through basketball camps, clinics, coach training, and professional development. The team has already received more than 9,000 deposits for season ticket memberships, too.

There will be a free, open-to-the-public Cleveland Sirens Fan Fest presented by ProgressiveInsurance at Edgewater Beach on August 8, featuring entertainment, interactive activations, special appearances, and exclusive merchandise and apparel.