Portland, Cleveland, same fight? Two weeks ago, the WNBA formalized the great return of a franchise to Portland, for a 15th team in the championship. The league is preparing to return for the first time to a city it had left, Portland having hosted the Fire from 2000 to 2002.
Could the Ohio city experience the same fate? Donovan Mitchell wants to believe it. According to the Cavs star, Cleveland “ clearly deserves a WNBA team “.
“ It's huge for Portland and San Francisco to add one. But Cleveland is a perfect sports town for that. The WNBA is at its peak and I love the competition. It's been like this for a while and I think people are finally starting to pay attention to it “, does he expand on the current craze.
For the record, from next season, there will be 13 teams with the arrival of the Valkyries. The women's league hopes to have three more by 2028 to reach a 16-team championship. With Toronto and Portland, we will therefore be at 15 in 2026, and there will only be one franchise left to create within four years.
One of the original eight franchises
Philadelphia, Denver, Nashville and Miami are in the running to be the final host city for this 16th team. Cleveland's name hasn't come up until now, as it hosted the Rockers, one of the league's eight original franchises in 1997.
Owner at the time, Gordon Gund, also head of the Cavs, withdrew from the WNBA franchise in 2003. He cited a lack of revenue, minimal interest and low attendance. The team withdrew after the 2003 season, the league having been unable to find a new investor.
“ I would love to contribute to this franchise in Cleveland, if it ever happens », Already announces Donovan Mitchell, emphasizing the ongoing feminine dynamic. “ It's great basketball. It has become more national. I have the feeling that as players, we have been there from the beginning. It's great that the world is finally starting to see what we all see. »
