A mythological creature is finding a home off the shores of Lake Erie, in Cleveland.
The Cleveland Sirens is the name for the WNBA expansion team that will debut in 2028. Rock Entertainment Group, which owns the team, announced the name August 4 at Rocket Arena.
Northeast Ohio basketball fans have been speculating about the expansion team’s name since the city was awarded a franchise last year. Cleveland’s former WNBA team was the Rockers until it went defunct in 2003.
But long before the name debut, there were signs.
It started off at Edgewater Beach when a mysterious sandcastle appeared July 31 with the logo ‘Hear The Call’ in blue coloring.
The font choice gave that bold Greek style that coincided with it’s mythology. ‘Hear The Call’ goes hand in hand with what Sirens do, they call out for sailors who will hear them.
What are Sirens?
In Greek Mythology Sirens are beautiful creatures that stay in the sea typically described having wings like a bird and scaley tails like a mermaid.
The myth dates back more than 2,000 years. According to folklore, sailors at sea would hear an enchanting voice that lured them into the Sirens trap. The sailors were blinded by their beauty and voice.
The mythological Sirens are dangerous, clever women.
Are the Cleveland Rockers gone for good?
The former name, The Rockers, will still be making a comeback. Owner Dan Gilbert still plans to embrace the former team’s name by honoring them during theme nights, such as a ‘throwback’ night.
The Rockers lasted from 1997 to 2003, just before the Gilberts took over. The logo was a guitar with blue, black and orange colors.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland WNBA team has a name, and it comes from Greek Mythology
