Home Executive-Insights CCO Cleveland WNBA Names Allison H...

Cleveland WNBA Names Allison Howard, President, Leveraging Cavaliers CCO Experience

CCO

Business Honor - Allison Howard Named WNBA President

Business Honor
22 August, 2025

Allison Howard will lead the Cleveland WNBA team, bringing a strong commercial and leadership background.

The appointment of Allison Howard as the first team president of Cleveland's WNBA team, which is scheduled to make its debut in 2028, is an important step forward. Howard's extensive experience in sports business leadership is shown by the nomination, particularly her present position as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group.

Howard's appointment represents a calculated step to create a solid commercial base for the WNBA's Ohio expansion. She has been in charge of key revenue-generating areas in her capacity as CCO for the Cavaliers, such as corporate businesses, ticket sales, membership services, stadium experience, and youth sports programming. She has been involved in determining the team's approach to fan interaction and financial success.

According to Rock Entertainment Group, Howard will remain in her current Cavaliers position through the end of the 2025-26 NBA season before fully transitioning to lead the WNBA team’s business operations. In her new role, she will oversee all commercial functions, develop team culture, lead community engagement initiatives, and shape the overall fan experience.

This won’t be Howard’s first experience launching a professional sports franchise. Before joining REG, she served as the first president of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current, where she led the club through critical growth milestones. Her achievements included securing major corporate deals, establishing naming rights for the team’s stadium, and driving a 300% increase in partnership revenue.

Joining her in the front office are Kiersten Green as VP of Ticket Sales and Service and Tamzin Barroilhet as SVP of Corporate Partnerships and Commercial Strategy, who are both bringing impressive track records in revenue growth and brand development. Howard highlighted that the Cleveland WNBA team will be rooted in community, inclusion, and pride, aiming to become one of the most welcoming brands in professional sports.