The WNBA’s upcoming expansion franchise in Ohio has officially rolled out its identity, announcing on a Tuesday that it will debut as the Bleacherreport ahead of a 2028 court return. The team’s name and brand draw direct inspiration from Lake Erie's power and pull,
marking a fresh start for women’s professional basketball in the region.
Cleveland WNBA Expansion Team Unveils Name and Logo
According to team officials, the development followed a 13-month endeavor that included market research, surveys, and thousands of conversations with the community.
Design Details and Symbolism
The newly revealed logo features a mermaid-like being from Greek mythology, chosen for its alluring voice and connection to water. The siren in the artwork is depicted moving forward intentionally.
The design of the siren, she is moving forward, she is progressive,
president of business operations Allison Howard told Bleacherreport, adding that the choice reflects the momentum of the WNBA, women’s sports, and Northeast Ohio.
Additional symbolic elements of the visual identity include: * Five points on the siren’s hair, representing both the team’s starting five and the five Great Lakes. * A blue color palette reflecting the gradient of Lake Erie from its depths to the surface, which also serves as an homage to the color of the city’s previous WNBA team. * Accents on the sides of the wordmark designed to resemble reverberating sound waves.
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,
Howard said in a statement.
Stepping Away from the Rockers History
When the WNBA expansion was announced, many wondered whether the organization would revive the Cleveland Rockers. The Rockers originally competed in the league from 1997 through 2003 as part of the WNBA’s launch era, but the franchise folded after the 2003 season.
Ultimately, team leadership opted for a clean break rather than reviving the past. Franchise leadership noted that the new Cleveland franchise will not absorb the history of the Rockers, with the two organizations existing as separate statistical entities. Cleveland made a deliberate nod to its predecessor by noting that the Sirens are playing a different song… a louder one,
while incorporating a colorway nod to the former team.
Arena, Ownership, and Infrastructure
The Sirens will be owned and operated by Rock Entertainment Group, the umbrella for Dan Gilbert’s sports and entertainment properties. Gilbert also owns the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, whom he acquired in 2005.
When play begins in 2028, the Sirens will play their home games at Rocket Arena, a venue in downtown Cleveland with a seating capacity of approximately 19,000. For training and preparation, the team will utilize a dedicated performance center in Independence, Ohio. The 55,000-square-foot space, currently used by the Cavaliers, is undergoing conversion into a facility specifically for the Sirens.
The franchise has also established partnerships ahead of its debut, including an alignment with Cleveland Clinic focused on research specific to female athletes.
Worth a look
