Who Are We Now? What We Learned From The Cavs Championship

When the Cleveland Cavaliers completed the most improbable comeback in NBA Finals history last June, the city’s sports landscape experienced a seismic shift. The epic victory parade was equal parts celebration and declaration: Not only was the Land real, it was spectacular. “We’re fortunate the teams are so inextricably intertwined with the city,” says Cavs and Quicken Loans Arena CEO Len Komoroski. “What we did last year showed how sports can bring people from all walks of life together.” As we face challenges ahead, there will be setbacks. Here’s what we’ve learned from our win. 

Change the game 
Winning an NBA title altered the dialogue of the city on a national and international basis. With the opening of a new convention center and nearly 2,000 hotel rooms, it ups the game as a destination for tourism and conventions. “We now have the confidence to play on the biggest stages,” says Komoroski. “We’re getting comfortable in our own skin as a destination city.” 

Show true grit 
The unrelenting determination the Cavs displayed in overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds mirrors the resurgence of core neighborhoods such as Ohio City and Tremont, and those working to build on opportunities such as Slavic Village. “By maximizing what we are as a community, the mayor and county executives have put the city in a position to play offense,” says Komoroski.

Accept the challenge 
After the Cavs lost Game 4 in last year’s Finals, general manager David Griffin sent an email to the entire organization reaffirming his belief that this team not just could — but absolutely would — overcome the 3-1 deficit to end the 52-year championship drought. “If you have a team or a community that feels positively about itself, it can work though any challenge,” says Komoroski.