The battle for the WNBA's 16th franchise promises to be fierce. Because there are no less than ten cities that have already shown their interest, as well as prestigious names: Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant, no less. Donovan Mitchell, for his part, does not intend to invest financially but he supported, last month, a candidacy of the Cavaliers.
A desire confirmed by information from The Athletic. Our colleagues explain that the Cavaliers have been talking with the WNBA for a year now. So, Dan Gilbert, the owner of the Cleveland franchise, will “ actively » attempt to acquire the 16th franchise in the women's league.
The proof: the Cavaliers have already launched a website for this – wnbacleveland.com – and journalists from The Athletic add that two weighty arguments could weigh. If the Ohio franchise obtains this 16th franchise in the WNBA, the players will play in the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, the Cavaliers' room, and will train at the Cleveland Clinic Peak Performance Center. A brand new training center which will open in 2027.
It would then be a return to the origins for the WNBA. Between 1997 and 2003, there was in fact a Cleveland team in the league, the Rockers, with a record of 108 wins and 112 losses. The peak of this adventure? A conference final lost in 2000, against the New York Liberty.
In 2003, the year LeBron James arrived, Gordon Gund bought the Cavaliers and decided to end the women's team, especially for financial reasonswhich had not subsequently found an owner.
