Gund Arena

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Lore & Background

The arena opened in October 1994 as part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex. It was originally named Gund Arena after former Cavaliers owners George and Gordon Gund. In August 2005, after Dan Gilbert purchased a majority of the Cavaliers, the naming rights were bought and the arena was renamed Quicken Loans Arena. It was renamed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in April 2019, and then updated to Rocket Arena in 2025. The arena replaced Richfield Coliseum as the home of the Cavaliers, becoming the primary downtown venue.

In Their Own Story

The air inside is thick with anticipation, smelling faintly of popcorn and floor wax. As the lights dim over Public Square, the hum of thousands of fans builds to a deafening crescendo. A single spotlight hits center court where the Cavaliers' logo glows against the dark wood. The crowd surges in unison as the team steps out, the energy palpable enough to rattle the glass of the press box, echoing the same electric tension that defined the greatest night in franchise history.

Reader's Guide

The arena seats 19,432 for basketball and up to 18,926 for ice hockey. It features 2,000 club seats, 88 luxury suites, and a main scoreboard nicknamed Humongotron, the fourth largest in an NBA arena. The building is owned by the Gateway Economic Development Corporation of Greater Cleveland and leased to the Cavaliers, who also manage the Cleveland Monsters.

Did You Know?

• The arena hosted the 2016 Republican National Convention.
• It has been the site of two NCAA Division I Women's Final Fours, in 2007 and 2024.
• The arena's LED roof sign measures 360 feet by 90 feet and can only display the arena's name or naming rights sponsor without commission approval.
• The arena opened with a concert by Billy Joel on October 17, 1994.

The Barons' Brief and Turbulent Era

Gordon Gund's initial foray into professional hockey ownership began with a desperate rescue mission in Cleveland. The team faced immediate financial instability, missing payroll twice and requiring a $1.3 million loan simply to complete their inaugural season.

Transforming the San Jose Sharks

After years in Minnesota, the Gund family sought to return to their original market, the San Francisco Bay Area. This financial commitment yielded dramatic results, including high-profile playoff upsets against top-tier opponents in 1994 and 1995. While consistent championship contention remained elusive, the Gunds cultivated an electric atmosphere that made their home arena one of the loudest in the league. In February 2002, they sold the franchise to a new consortium, with Gordon exiting completely while his brother George retained a minority stake.

Revitalizing Cleveland Basketball

In April 1983, the Gunds purchased the Cleveland Cavaliers from Ted Stepien for $20 million, saving the NBA franchise from potential relocation to Toronto. This acquisition included the team's media assets and Richfield Coliseum, which they already owned. Upon taking control, they immediately overhauled the team's identity, replacing the old swashbuckling logo with a modernized design featuring a stylized 'V'. Under their stewardship, attendance figures soared, establishing a period of sustained competitiveness on the court. A major milestone occurred in 1994-95 when Gund Arena opened, replacing the Coliseum and further boosting fan engagement; for fifteen of the sixteen seasons leading up to 2005, the Cavaliers recorded franchise-record attendance levels. The ownership tenure reached its cultural zenith in 2003 when they selected Akron native LeBron James with the first overall pick, a decision that reinvigorated local interest just before selling controlling interest in 2005.

Philanthropy and Personal Resilience

Beyond his extensive career as a sports mogul, Gordon Gund is defined by his personal battle with blindness and his subsequent advocacy work. This organization was established to support research and provide resources for those suffering from similar visual impairments. While he stepped away from direct ownership of the Cavaliers, Sharks, and Rockers by 2005, his impact on sports infrastructure and charitable causes remains enduring. His life story illustrates how personal adversity can drive significant contributions to both professional athletics and medical research communities.