Cleveland WNBA Names Allison Howard as First President Ahead of 2028 Inaugural Season

• Allison Howard has been appointed the first president of the new Cleveland WNBA team
• She will manage the business operations of the team as it prepares for its inaugural season in 2028 at Rocket Arena
• She oversees areas such as ticket sales, partnerships, fan experience, and youth sports programs

Cleveland WNBA and Rock Entertainment Group (REG) have hired Allison Howard as the franchise's first president. She will oversee the business functions of the expansion franchise, which will open play in 2028 at Rocket Arena.

Allison will also remain as Rock Entertainment Group's and the Cleveland Cavaliers' Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer through the end of the 2025-26 NBA season, while starting to launch and activate operations for the Cleveland WNBA.

As it is currently, she is responsible for corporate and ticket sales revenue and strategy, corporate partnerships, membership sales and service, venue experience, ticket operations, and youth sports programming.

"With an exceptional track record in leading top sports organizations and developing women's sports, Allissons arrives here," stated Rock Entertainment Group CEO, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Rocket Arena CEO Nic Barlage.

"Her leadership under the vision of Dan Gilbert will create a women's professional team highly engaged with its state and city while capitalizing on the momentum of women's basketball."

As Cleveland WNBA President, Allison will be responsible for all business operations of the team — including organizational culture, employee development, community relations, fan experience, and commercial business.

Allison shared her enthusiasm for the job, stating, "It's been invigorating to experience the passion of Cleveland WNBA fans throughout Ohio.

We want to make this team something that the community will be proud of, inspire generations to come of players, and build an open culture where everyone feels like they belong. Together starts now."

Allison brings deep knowledge of women's sports leadership. She was formerly the original president of the Kansas City Current (NWSL), where she managed expansion in 2022 and directed business operations, revenue, and culture.

She will be accompanied by new executives on the Cleveland WNBA franchise:

Kiersten Green, as Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service, after seven years with the Cavaliers. She just led Group Sales to a franchise-record year in revenue (2024–25).

Tamzin Barroilhet, appointed to Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and Commercial Strategy, with more than a decade of international sports business experience. With Under Armour, she developed the company's global sports partnership strategy.