“The enthusiasm and support behind the Cleveland Sirens underscore Cleveland’s role in the league’s next chapter of growth and affirm our readiness for a return of women’s professional basketball,” said Nic Barlage, Rock Entertainment Group CEO, in a news release. “From the beginning, our vision has been to build a franchise that harnesses the power, visibility and opportunity that define this moment in women’s sports and fortifies the city’s momentum.”
Fittingly announced during the box office mania of Christopher Nolan’s hit movie The Odyssey, the team’s name found inspiration from Greek mythology, pulling elements from the beautiful, yet dangerous sea creatures that lure sailors to their deaths.
Lake Erie’s not a sea. And it already has its own famous mythical creature: the Lake Erie Monster, the namesake of Cleveland’s American Hockey League team. The lake still proved central to the Sirens’ conceptual development, with many nautical images being shared on social media ahead of Tuesday’s announcement.
The team’s colors are “Sirens Blue” and “Erie Blue,” nodding both to Lake Erie and the Cleveland Rockers’ colors, according to a news release.
“The Cleveland Sirens are sharp, unapologetic, fearless and relentless, representative of this region, our Great Lake and the future of our city and women’s basketball,” said Allison Howard, Cleveland Sirens president of business operations, in a news release. “Powered by unrivaled fandom and a level of civic pride found only on the shores of Lake Erie, the Sirens will sound a new era for women’s basketball while creating space for the next generation to dream even bigger.”
Beyond the WNBA, Cleveland is having a moment with women’s sports. Also in 2028, the city’s new WPSL Pro women’s soccer team, the Cleveland Astra, will start playing.
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