“Trade everything for Caitlin Clark” – Fans campaign for Fever star to lead Cleveland’s potential new team amid WNBA’s expansion plans
WNBA fans ask for Caitlin Clark to lead Cleveland’s franchise once it becomes operational (Getty)
The WNBA will soon expand to accommodate more teams, and fans are already campaigning for Caitlin Clark to lead one of these upcoming franchises.
On Sunday, it was reported that a team is returning to Cleveland as it will become the latest city to be awarded a franchise.
The expectation is that the Cleveland-based franchise, which will be called the Rockers, is going to begin operation by 2028.
There’s still quite a bit of time before the Rockers begin operations.
However, some fans are already asking for Clark to become a part of the organization.
“Trade everything for Caitlin Clark,” one person said.
“Trade the Browns to Indy for Caitlin Clark. Who says no?” one person asked.
“I cannot wait to fire up a trade machine for Caitlin Clark,” someone said.
“Do whatever we must do to acquire Caitlin Clark,” someone tweeted.
“Caitlin Clark and Evan Mobley about to be in the same city whewwww,” one fan said.
Meanwhile, one tweet asked for two other young talents aside from Clark to join the Cleveland Rockers.
“Please please get Paige Bueckers or Hailey Van Lith,” another person said.
The Cleveland Rockers are not exactly a brand-new franchise.
In fact, they were one of the eight original teams that played in the inaugural WNBA season in 1997.
The other seven were the Houston Comets, Charlotte Sting, Sacramento Monarchs, Utah Starzz, LA Sparks, Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty.
The Rockers were defunct by 2003. The Sting (2006), Comets (2008) and Monarchs (2009) would soon fold as well.
The Starzz relocated twice, first to San Antonio and then to Las Vegas where they are now called the Aces.
The Sparks, Mercury and Liberty are the only ones that remain in their original cities since the WNBA’s inaugural campaign.
The league is now expanding rapidly with the 13th franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, set to play its inaugural season this year.
Toronto was chosen for the 14th franchise, making it the first organization based outside the United States, and is expected to play in 2026. Similarly, Portland’s WNBA franchise will reportedly debut in 2026 as well.