Cleveland’s newest professional sports team won’t hit the court until 2028, but fans don’t have to wait that long to show their support. Merchandise for the Cleveland WNBA team is already available for purchase online at the Center Court Store under the WNBA CLE section.
Currently, the store offers a variety of items featuring three color schemes: black and orange, and orange and white, including hats, hoodies, and t-shirts. Some of the apparel comes from Nike, while others pay tribute to Ohio.
The new Cleveland WNBA franchise, awarded to Rock Entertainment Group and Dan Gilbert, was announced on July 1 and carries an estimated price tag of $250 million. Set to become the league’s 16th team, it will start competing in the 2028 season.
Cleveland previously had a WNBA team, the Cleveland Rockers, which played from 1997 until 2003. The sports landscape was very different back then.
The excitement around the Cleveland WNBA team’s return isn’t surprising given the booming revenue in women’s sports, which exceeded $1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a record $2.35 billion, according to Deloitte. The WNBA also reported a 50% attendance increase in 2024, with ESPN viewership on the rise by 170%, and other broadcast partners seeing significant audience growth as well.
Northeast Ohio’s passionate sports fans are already rallying behind the new franchise, despite some struggles faced by local teams like the Browns, Guardians, and Cavaliers in recent decades.
George M. Thomas contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared where you can buy Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland WNBA Merch.
Fan Take: This news is a major boost for WNBA supporters, signaling growing investment and enthusiasm for women’s basketball. The introduction of a Cleveland team could inspire more fans, help expand the league’s reach, and elevate the sport’s profile nationwide.
