Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert says the team isn’t leaving Cleveland

Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, recently made clear that the team has no plans to look into relocation.

When plans for the Cleveland Cavaliers to upgrade their home arena “The Quicken Loans Arena,” fell through it was a bit shocking. The $140 million arena upgrade would’ve put the city in contention for All-Star Game, made it more modern and create a surplus of 3,000 jobs. That was the plan, until those plans were scrapped.

With the idea of renovation gone, it also decreased the Cavaliers’ lease at the arena by seven years. From 2034 to 2027. The conversation of a possible relocation was sparked by lawyer Fred Nance, who was involved in talks of the renovation.

In an appearance on WKYC, Nance explained the possibility of relocating

“I think it has put a big question mark on the future of the Cavs in Cleveland,” Nance told WKYC, a TV station located in Cleveland. “Because while the deal would have extended [the Cavs] lease and we wouldn’t have had to deal with this until 2034, it’s not clear what’s going to happen in 2027 and owners don’t wait until December 30 of the last year of their lease — they start making those plans years ahead of time.

“We have significantly diminished our ability to keep this team here as a result of this.”

It only took days, but Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert refuted the possibility of relocation via twitter.

The rumors of a relocation is what the team didn’t need, as the Cavaliers organization has been influx the entire off-season. From David Griffin not having his contract renewed; All-Star guard Kyrie Irving requesting a trade; acquiring the injured Isaiah Thomas and having to deal with speculation regarding LeBron James’ impending free agency in 2018.

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Just last year they were celebrating their first ever NBA championship, and in just a span of two years the entire organization from the players to the front office could look different.