The new WNBA team represents not just another pro sports franchise— it signals a meaningful moment in both women’s basketball and Cleveland’s sports landscape.

If the early interest in tickets is any indication, Cleveland seems ready for a WNBA team again. Nic Barlage, the CEO of Rock Entertainment Group, which owns the new franchise and the Cavaliers, said they already had more than 3,100 season ticket deposits as of Wednesday morning.

Sophie Cunningham was the center of controversy over comments about the WNBA’s expansion to Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia, and, on Thursday, she attempted to clarify her message ahead of the Fever’s win over the Aces.