Pankaj Singh Bisht, Jadetimes Staff
Pankaj is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Sports News.
In a historic step, the WNBA has granted its 16th franchise to Cleveland, returning professional women's basketball to the city. The new franchise will bring back the Cleveland Rockers name, in honor of the city's strong basketball heritage, and will hit the court for the 2028 season. The expansion follows a highly contested bidding war, in which Cleveland's $250 million bid surpassed other bids, including from Kansas City.
Cleveland's Winning Bid
Cleveland's choice for WNBA expansion is a reflection of the city's expanding sports market and fan base. The $250 million bid reflected solid financial support, infrastructural preparedness, and a dedicated ownership group eager to build a successful franchise. The city had once been home to the Cleveland Rockers from 1997 to 2003 as one of the original eight WNBA teams, and the return of the team name further solidifies the city's association with women's basketball.
Cleveland's proposal also focused on its high-tech arena amenities, corporate sponsors, and expanded youth basketball operations. Expanding to Cleveland would complement the WNBA's objectives of bringing pro women's basketball to sports-hardened regions that would be good for the long-term.
Kansas City's Disappointment
Although presenting a compelling argument, Kansas City's bid did not succeed in this round of expansion. Supported by prominent names such as NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes and WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark, Kansas City boasted a strong financial base and an engaged sports fan base. The city has been actively seeking a WNBA franchise over the past few years, touting its healthy basketball culture and top-of-the-line T-Mobile Center as a possible home arena.
But market saturation, arena availability, and long-term financial projections might have played a role in the WNBA choosing to place Cleveland first. Though this is disappointing news for Kansas City, league officials have assured that expansion will continue, with the possibility of expanding to 18 teams in the near future. This leaves Kansas City still in the running for a future WNBA team.
Future Expansion Plans
The WNBA's expansion to 16 teams marks the league's dedication to expansion and exposure for women's basketball. With increasing viewership rates, sponsorship agreements, and player skill, the need for more teams only continues to rise. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has been interested in expanding the league further to 18 teams so that more cities can have the chance to be home to a franchise.
Kansas City is still very much a frontrunner to be considered for future addition, joined by other markets such as Toronto and Philadelphia. Through persistent investor and local sportsman interest, the Kansas City wish for a WNBA team can materialize within the next wave of expansion.
The Cleveland Rockers' return represents a major milestone for the WNBA, showing the league's dedication to reaching out further and building women's basketball. Although Kansas City's bid didn't succeed this time, the possibility of future expansion provides hope for the city to be included in the future. As the league continues to develop, both cities are prime to determine the next installment of the WNBA.
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