The WNBA has never been bigger. Ratings are as high as they’ve ever been. Young stars are taking the spotlight. But the biggest indicator of the league’s recent success has been their dive into expansion.
This year saw the introduction of the Golden State Valkyries, but the league is not done adding new teams. The Toronto Tempo and Portland Thorns launch next season. And by 2030, the WNBA plans on adding three more teams, bringing the league total to 18.
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The first of those will be Cleveland, launching in 2028. And although there are nearly three years until the team makes its debut, they’re already making decisions about the organization’s front office. Tuesday, they announced their first team president in Rock Entertainment Group (REG) and Cleveland Cavaliers executive vice president and chief commercial officer Allison Howard.
What will Howard’s role with the WNBA team be?
Per REG, Howard has “she oversees corporate and ticket sales revenue and strategy, corporate partnership, membership sales and service, venue experience, ticket operations and youth sports programming” for years with the Cavaliers. She will remain in her current role with the team through the 2025-26 NBA season before transitioning to her position with the Cleveland WNBA team.
With the WNBA team, Howard will oversee all business operations from the Cleveland franchise, including “culture and team member development, community engagement, fan experience and the commercial operations of the organization.”
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What is Howard’s background in sports?
This won’t be Howard’s first run as president of a sports franchise. In fact, this won’t even be her first run at being the first president of a new franchise. Prior to her career with REG and the Cavaliers, Howard served as the inaugural president to the Kansas City Current, a professional women’s soccer team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Howard played a major role in many of the team’s biggest successes, including determining the original stadium naming rights, selling out season tickets, and “increasing corporate partnership revenue by more than 300%.”
Other members of the front office
Howard will be joined in the front office by a few experienced sports business personnel member.
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Kiersten Green has been named vice president of ticket sales and service. She has seven years of experience in that role with the Cavaliers, and recently drove record-breaking revenue for the team during their impeccable 2024-25 season.
Tamzin Barroilhet was named senior vice president of corporate partnerships and commercial strategy as well. Her marketing expertise is well-documented, having most recently worked with the Global Sports Marketing department at Under Armour.
Howard’s comments on her role
For her part, Howard outlined an emphasis on community and inclusiveness with the Cleveland expansion franchise.
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“It has been energizing to feel the passion of Cleveland WNBA fans across Ohio and to see how quickly our community has already embraced our team,” said Howard. “We’re committed to making this team a source of pride for our city and broader region, to inspire future athletes and to create an environment where everyone belongs and feels welcome. We are building the most inclusive brand in sports.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cleveland’s WNBA expansion team names first president
