Cleveland's new WNBA team might not officially return to the league until 2028, but that doesn't mean fans aren't already extremely excited about welcoming the new team. On Thursday, July 24, Rock Entertainment Group CEO Nick Barlage announced the team has already racked up at least 5,000 season ticket deposits, and only 9% of those come from current Cavaliers season ticket holders. In other words: thousands of people are excited the league is back in Cleveland, news that is incredibly welcome by the ownership group.
That's a trend that also ushered in the Golden State Valkyries — only 5% of the team's season ticket holders also have Warriors season tickets.
Cleveland season ticket deposits are only $28
Perhaps part of the team's early success is that the deposits are only $28 — in honor of the team's 2028 debut. Barlage admitted to the Sports Business Journal that an early goal was to get 100 season ticket deposits, and now the group hopes for 20,000. "But our North Star as of today is 20,000, and we think that sends a strong message to the marketplace. It also sends a strong message to prospective partners that want to come on this journey with us," he explained.
The original Rockers were part of the WNBA from 1997 to 2003. The team shut down when its then-owner Gordon Gund, who also owned the Cavaliers, wanted to "put a financial priority" on LeBron James, who was then a recently drafted rookie with the team, the outlet also noted. Gund attempted to sell the team but didn't get any takers, and fans of the Rockers protested James' first game.
There is some hope the Cleveland team will revive the original Rockers name as a nod to that history. Barlage told the Journal that he expects the team's name to be revealed sooner than later, and that it could even come out before the end of the year. He also said the Rockers are one name that's being considered, but the new team could be an opportunity start completely fresh.
Cleveland's team was announced as part of a trio of new teams that will enter the league by 2030 (the other two teams will be based in Detroit and Philadelphia). The additions will bring the WNBA up to 18 teams by 2030, a reality that might have been difficult to believe only a few years ago.
There are also plenty of other teams that have placed bids for their own teams, including Nashville, Denver, and Miami (the last of which is a city several WNBA players have said they'd love to play in).