Biggest headlines from WNBA trade deadline
Callie Fin breaks down the biggest headlines that came out of the WNBA trade deadline, including Kelsey Plum going to Phoenix Mercury.
Sports Seriously
The WNBA’s team in Cleveland officially has a name: the Sirens.
On Tuesday, after months of buildup and anticipation ― and several hints ― the league’s Cleveland franchise unveiled the name.
“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,” Nic Barlage, Rock Entertainment Group CEO, said via 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.”
The unveiling of Sirens comes after Cleveland was announced as one of three expansion franchises that will enter the WNBA over the next four years. Cleveland will become the WNBA’s 16th franchise in 2028. Detroit returns to the league in 2029, and Philadelphia welcomes its franchise in 2030.
News of the Sirens’ name is likely to create more momentum after Cleveland recently announced it has more than 8,500 season-ticket deposits, nearly two years before its debut.
Why didn’t the WNBA use the Cleveland Rockers name again?
Many fans were likely hoping for the return of the Cleveland Rockers, the name the team used during its inaugural stint in the WNBA from 1997-2003.
“Rockers will be a part of the mix for sure, but we are at this point, we’re not going to commit to a brand identity because we want to really get into it with our fans, do some research, be very thorough and thoughtful in that process,” Barlage said in June 2025.
Why the Sirens?
According to the team, here’s the thinking behind the choice to name the team the Sirens:
“The Cleveland Sirens name embodies the energy, resilience and unapologetic passion that define Northeast Ohio. It evokes the force of Lake Erie, Cleveland’s defining natural asset and source of civic pride, and delivers an unmistakable call for fans to be part of something greater than themselves,” Cleveland said via release. “The identity distinctly and authentically represents Cleveland, a city shaped by its lakefront, which serves as the region’s gathering place. The name and brand are a product of a year-long, regionalized, fan-informed process
“The logo captures the Siren’s fluid motion as the character underlines the team’s name from beneath the surface, commanding the depths while the tail and basketball crest the waves. The leading “S” in the Cleveland Sirens wordmark conceals “C” (Cleveland), “S” (Sirens) and “CLE” within its form, with its tip curving into a trident. Accent swashes bookend the wordmark, rippling outward like the reverberating sound waves of a siren’s call. The color palette of Sirens Blue and Erie Blue draws on the hues of Lake Erie and pays homage to the Cleveland Rockers, who competed in the WNBA from 1997 to 2003. A complementary mint foam color adds vibrancy and depth in select applications.”