Cleveland WNBA Team Breaks Ground with Surprising Hire of Cavaliers’ Allison Howard as President—What This Means for the Future

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Cleveland’s latest chapter in pro sports is taking shape in a big way — the city just snagged its first major hire for the brand-new WNBA franchise, and it’s a power move. Allison Howard, a seasoned executive with a knack for launching expansion teams, is stepping in as president. She’s currently making waves with the Cavaliers but will pivot to build this WNBA squad from the ground up — a process that won’t see actual game play until 2028, so there’s plenty of runway ahead. Howard’s history with the Kansas City Current as their inaugural president gives her a unique edge here, steering a fresh franchise through its formative years. The excitement’s palpable, and Cleveland’s got a real shot to make this team a shining beacon for the city. Alongside Howard, other key hires are locking down the business side — all pieces clicking into place well before tip-off. This expansion isn’t just Cleveland’s story; Detroit and Philadelphia are gearing up for their own WNBA debuts soon, shaking up the league with fresh energy and new rivalries. Curious to dive deeper? LEARN MOREHoward expressed excitement over her new role, saying she’s hoping to make the team “a source of pride for our city,” per the team’s statement.Advertisement

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AdvertisementThe Cleveland WNBA franchise won’t start playing games until 2028, so Howard has multiple years to build the franchise. Given that timeline, Howard will remain in her current role with the Cavaliers through the 2025-26 NBA season before joining Cleveland’s WNBA organization.