Cleveland’s WNBA expansion team unveiled its nickname and logo on Tuesday.
The Sirens will begin playing during the 2028 season. Detroit is scheduled to join in 2029 and Philadelphia one year later, bringing the total number of teams in the league up to 18.
Welcome, Cleveland Sirens! @clevelandwnba pic.twitter.com/JJicznmgYw
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 4, 2026
The nickname and logo reflect a powerful female sea-dwelling mythological figure, featuring the color blue for the water of nearby Lake Erie.
“The blue was really designed on twofold,” president of business operations Allison Howard said, per Cleveland.com.
“One, going back to our greatest asset — Lake Erie. Just the changes in the water — the deeper you go, the darker it gets. Even to when it gets to be black. And that’s where the siren resides, down deep. On top, Lake Erie is a beautiful light blue. And we also like the blue as a subtle nod to the Rockers.”
The Cleveland Rockers, one of the eight charter franchises of the WNBA, competed in the league from 1997 to 2003. They made the playoffs on four occasions and advanced to the Eastern Conference final in 2000 before the franchise folded after then-Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund was unsuccessful in his bid to find a new owner for the Rockers.
–Field Level Media
