WNBA coming to Cleveland?

 
No harm if you can find an owner willing to burn a large amount of money every season, right? Clark coming into the league certainly raised its visibility and popularity, but will they be able to maintain the crowds/viewership?
 
mcm.1019 said:
No harm if you can find an owner willing to burn a large amount of money every season, right? Clark coming into the league certainly raised its visibility and popularity, but will they be able to maintain the crowds/viewership?
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Rich people don't like to waste money. I'll be really curious how Clark is treated this season. The league may make her hands off and give her the LeBron treatment. They've pushed alot of talent to Indy to make them competitive.
 
Might be a hot take, but I personally would’ve rather seen Columbus get a WNBA team instead of Cleveland. I think Columbus just makes more sense overall. Less pro sports teams to compete with, and Columbus is a growing city. Cleveland/NE Ohio does have a much larger media market however, and maybe that is what they are really going for? Or to get support from the Cavaliers? Who knows. But overall, I am excited to see a WNBA team back in Ohio!
 
footballsalads43 said:
Might be a hot take, but I personally would’ve rather seen Columbus get a WNBA team instead of Cleveland. I think Columbus just makes more sense overall. Less pro sports teams to compete with, and Columbus is a growing city. Cleveland/NE Ohio does have a much larger media market however, and maybe that is what they are really going for? Or to get support from the Cavaliers? Who knows. But overall, I am excited to see a WNBA team back in Ohio!
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The new teams have NBA ownership:

All three new teams have NBA ownership groups. Each paid a $250 million expansion fee, which is about five times as much as Golden State dished out for a team a few years ago.

The bid for a WNBA team was spearheaded by Dan Gilbert’s Rock Entertainment Group, which also encompasses the Cavaliers, the Cavs’ G League affiliate the Cleveland Charge, the Cleveland Monsters, and the newly-formed Rock Entertainment Sports Network.

www.cleveland.com

WNBA is returning to Cleveland with an expansion franchise for the 2028 season

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert cites Cleveland's basketball legacy and the league's surging popularity as key factors in the expansion decision.
www.cleveland.com www.cleveland.com
 
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1940087101891961053

Well this is just wild to me. Firstly one of the biggest names in the WNBA this season mistakes Cleveland for Cincinnati… then says that it won’t be “exciting” to go to Detroit or Cincinnati (Cleveland LOL). Shouldn’t you just be happy that your league is expanding?? Good lord.

I know I was saying Columbus should’ve got the WNBA team, but Cleveland and Detroit are some of the most passionate sports cities in the country… I think both cities will support the heck out of their teams. She listed Kansas City, Miami and Nashville as the places she would’ve preferred to see teams in, and I just don’t see those cities supporting a WNBA team to the caliber that Detroit or Cleveland would. This is a horrid take by Ms. Cunningham…
 
Actually it’s a very intell
footballsalads43 said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1940087101891961053

Well this is just wild to me. Firstly one of the biggest names in the WNBA this season mistakes Cleveland for Cincinnati… then says that it won’t be “exciting” to go to Detroit or Cincinnati (Cleveland LOL). Shouldn’t you just be happy that your league is expanding?? Good lord.

I know I was saying Columbus should’ve got the WNBA team, but Cleveland and Detroit are some of the most passionate sports cities in the country… I think both cities will support the heck out of their teams. She listed Kansas City, Miami and Nashville as the places she would’ve preferred to see teams in, and I just don’t see those cities supporting a WNBA team to the caliber that Detroit or Cleveland would. This is a horrid take by Ms. Cunningham…
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Actually it’s a very good take. The WNBA has already had franchises in Cleveland and Detroit. The Cleveland franchise failed and the Detroit one moved
 
Cedar_Point said:
Actually it’s a very intell
Actually it’s a very good take. The WNBA has already had franchises in Cleveland and Detroit. The Cleveland franchise failed and the Detroit one moved
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I disagree. Those franchises folded/relocated 22 years ago and 16 years ago respectively. The WNBA was in a much worse financial situation then, with little interest as well. Even today it’s not in a good financial situation. They’re still losing money. But the league has gained much more interest since 2003 and 2009… I think these cities will support their teams well.
 
footballsalads43 said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1940087101891961053

Well this is just wild to me. Firstly one of the biggest names in the WNBA this season mistakes Cleveland for Cincinnati… then says that it won’t be “exciting” to go to Detroit or Cincinnati (Cleveland LOL). Shouldn’t you just be happy that your league is expanding?? Good lord.

I know I was saying Columbus should’ve got the WNBA team, but Cleveland and Detroit are some of the most passionate sports cities in the country… I think both cities will support the heck out of their teams. She listed Kansas City, Miami and Nashville as the places she would’ve preferred to see teams in, and I just don’t see those cities supporting a WNBA team to the caliber that Detroit or Cleveland would. This is a horrid take by Ms. Cunningham…
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Perhaps she should just sit out the games that are in cities that don't meet with her approval.
 
Fever "star"? Can you be a star if you are averaging 5.6 ppg. , 4.1 rebounds, and .8 assists? Face it, Sophie, no one comes to the Fever game to see you...not even your family.
 
tom 48 said:
Fever "star"? Can you be a star if you are averaging 5.6 ppg. , 4.1 rebounds, and .8 assists? Face it, Sophie, no one comes to the Fever game to see you...not even your family.
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She’s been a big name this season in the WNBA, but it hasn’t been about her on the court performances though🤷🏿‍♂️
 
tom 48 said:
Fever "star"? Can you be a star if you are averaging 5.6 ppg. , 4.1 rebounds, and .8 assists? Face it, Sophie, no one comes to the Fever game to see you...not even your family.
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She's from Missouri, mid-way between KC and St Louis. Probably just disappointed in the results. She just needs to learn the art of advocating for her city, without denigrating others.

As far as those choices, using established rivalries perhaps had something to do with the decisions.
 
footballsalads43 said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1940087101891961053

Well this is just wild to me. Firstly one of the biggest names in the WNBA this season mistakes Cleveland for Cincinnati… then says that it won’t be “exciting” to go to Detroit or Cincinnati (Cleveland LOL). Shouldn’t you just be happy that your league is expanding?? Good lord.

I know I was saying Columbus should’ve got the WNBA team, but Cleveland and Detroit are some of the most passionate sports cities in the country… I think both cities will support the heck out of their teams. She listed Kansas City, Miami and Nashville as the places she would’ve preferred to see teams in, and I just don’t see those cities supporting a WNBA team to the caliber that Detroit or Cleveland would. This is a horrid take by Ms. Cunningham…
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As was posted earlier, NBA team owners are putting up the money. So the expansion teams are going to established cities. That eliminates Kansas City ( hasnt had a team in about 40 years) and Nashville. Miami? Horrible spot for a team that plays in the summer. Theres a reason pro baseball cant draw flies in Florida
 
Not sure expansion is a good decision for a league that traditionally hemorrhages money, but I guess you could say this is striking while the iron is hot while also tethering them to the financial backing of local NBA franchises.

Makes sense to me from an expansion standpoint to put new teams in generally strong identity sports towns with relatively lower cost of living. In Cleveland and Detroit you have some chance of making teams viable. In bigger or destination cities, unless you have the Clark (or any similar future attraction) show in town getting attention and attendance in the summer is probably going to be a very uphill battle.
 
5C2461EC-00C3-47A6-BAEE-047ED6FA368D.jpeg


Sophie’s response to the criticism she’s received.
 
I dont understand her take on whether or not an expamsion city would be fun to live. Its about what area can put the most butts in seats. Im sure Hawaii or Cabo would be fun. Doesnt make them viable WNBA home bases
 
nupanther said:
I dont understand her take on whether or not an expamsion city would be fun to live. Its about what area can put the most butts in seats. Im sure Hawaii or Cabo would be fun. Doesnt make them viable WNBA home bases
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Yep, like you said Miami can’t even get people to go to Marlins games… heck the Heat have trouble at times too.
 
tom 48 said:
Fever "star"? Can you be a star if you are averaging 5.6 ppg. , 4.1 rebounds, and .8 assists? Face it, Sophie, no one comes to the Fever game to see you...not even your family.
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I disagree. She is very good looking and has a big social media following. Plus she is in her 7th season and solid 6th or 7th player on the roster.
 
WJ-OSU-STEELERS said:
I disagree. She is very good looking and has a big social media following. Plus she is in her 7th season and solid 6th or 7th player on the roster.
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Sorry, a WNBA " star" needs to have more than big assets if it hopes to remain relevant. You knw as well as I why she is popular, and it has little to do with playing ability. " Personality," "celebrity," 'social media figure," fine. But "WNBA star"? hardly.
 
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tom 48 said:
Sorry, a WNBA " star" needs to have more than big assets if it hopes to remain relevant. You knw as well as I why she is popular, and it has little to do with playing ability. " Personality," "celebrity," 'social media figure," fine. But "WNBA star"? hardly.
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She puts Fannie’s in seats.

But she can play. Is she a star, no but a solid legit wnba player, yea
 
To steal a thought from the silly movie Happy Gilmore, these leagues are always looking for ways to bring non fans of their product to being fans. The NBA is at a standstill and actually dropping in popularity. Yes, the big cities where the teams are good draw well because everyone loves a winner, but when the winning stops, the sales go away.
So the NBA has convinced the owners to "invest" in the WNBA to expand and bring "different" fans to their product.

Now the major, major issue in my mind is who actually prefers to watch women's basketball over men's, and is that group big enough to make a difference? It's really turned more into marketing than anything else.
 
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