Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavaliers fans and fans across the country.
We’re still just under two years out from tip-off, but we do finally have a name for Cleveland’s WNBA expansion franchise. The Cleveland Sirens will be the newest professional sports team coming to Cleveland.
The new WNBA team decided to forge its own path with this branding. Instead of using the name of Cleveland’s previous teams, the Rockers,
or tying their identity closely to the NBA team, as we’ve seen with the Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics, etc., the Sirens are going ahead with something completely new and original. Their all blue logo and word marks are distinct in a city with a storied professional sports history.
Distinct and unique doesn’t always mean great. While I personally like the direction that the team is heading, I would understand if you thought otherwise. Casting aside tradition — even one that wasn’t necessarily great — is always a risky move. It would’ve been easier to just resurrect the Rockers’ name and just update the logo and uniform.
It also would’ve been just as easy to tie the team to the Cavs — similar to what we saw with the G League team, the Cleveland Charge. There is some value in tying all these related professional basketball teams together. Especially one that will be playing in the same arena as the Cavs.
So, what do you think of the new name and branding? Is this an A+ success? Or, are you more lukewarm to the new team name?
Let us know what you think in the survey and comments below.
