Cleveland Sirens Reveal New Identity for 2028 WNBA Team.
The Cleveland Sirens are set to debut as the WNBA's 16th team in 2028, marking a new chapter for professional women’s basketball in Ohio. The organization announced its identity and plans with a focus on innovation and forward-thinking.
President of business operations Allison Howard stated that the Cleveland Sirens embody sharpness, fearlessness, and progressiveness, reflective of the region's spirit and the future of women's basketball. Unlike the previous Cleveland Rockers franchise, which operated from 1997 to 2003, the new team will not carry over historical records or statistical data. Howard emphasized that both entities will exist as separate identities.
The Sirens will play at Rocket Arena, home of the NBA’s Cavaliers, and their performance center is currently being converted for use by the WNBA franchise. This move underscores the strategic partnership between the two leagues and highlights Cleveland's commitment to supporting women's professional sports.
Howard explained that the team's name was chosen through a 13-month process involving market research, surveys, and extensive community engagement. The guiding principle behind the selection was to emphasize Lake Erie, Ohio’s largest lake, which has not been prominently featured by other major-league teams in the state. The siren design symbolizes movement and progress, aligning with the evolving landscape of women's sports.
The team’s logo features a dynamic siren figure, with sound waves represented on either side of the wordmark to evoke the call of the mythological creature. The blue color palette mirrors the gradient of Lake Erie from depths to surface, paying homage to the Rockers' legacy while establishing a distinct identity for the new franchise.
Former Rockers players will participate in the brand launch and an alumni program is planned, ensuring a connection with the team's past. Howard hopes that fans will develop chants and songs associated with the Sirens’ name, fostering community engagement and enthusiasm.
Another professional women’s team shares the same name: the New York Sirens of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. However, Howard noted that there is no concern due to their different sports and markets, and she expressed a willingness to collaborate with them.
As the Cleveland Sirens prepare for their inaugural season in 2028, they are building out their staff and partnerships, including collaborations with Cleveland Clinic to conduct research specific to female athletes. This approach underscores the team's commitment to community involvement and advancing women’s sports through innovation and collaboration.
