Introducing the Ohio Wolverines, an April Fools' Day joke for the ages
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Cleveland's new WNBA franchise will debut in 2028. Photo: Brian Kolin/NBAE via Getty Images
Rock Entertainment Group, the umbrella company for the Cavaliers and Rocket Arena, has delivered one of the better April Fools' Day jokes in recent memory.
Driving the news: On Wednesday, the company mock-unveiled the proposed name for Cleveland's new WNBA franchise — the Ohio Wolverines.
State of laughs: Not only does the team feature the same nickname as the Ohio State rival Michigan Wolverines, but it also has the exact same color scheme.
What they're saying: In the spirit of April Fools, Allison Howard, Cleveland WNBA president of business operations, poured fuel on the fire.
- "With all the polarization in politics and elsewhere in our country, we believe that ending a long-standing rivalry between Ohio and Michigan, which dates back many years, will serve as a great example of how people of different backgrounds and communities can come together despite a long history of conflict," she said in a statement.
Between the lines: A press release also urges Detroit to name its recently awarded WNBA franchise the "Michigan Buckeyes."
- Fans are jokingly encouraged to purchase merchandise via "ohiowolverines.com," which doesn't actually exist, using the code APRILFOOLS.
What's next: Cleveland's WNBA franchise will make its debut in 2028.
- No word yet on an actual name, but they could revive the "Cleveland Rockers" — one of the WNBA's original eight teams that played from 1997 to 2003 at Gund Arena.