Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is owned by the nonprofit Gateway Economic Development Corporation.
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is owned by the nonprofit Gateway Economic Development Corporation. Credit: Jeff Haynes / Signal Cleveland

The City of Cleveland and the Cleveland Cavaliers have partnered for the third year to host Hoops after Dark. This week, the league will hold a job and resource fair.  This will be the third year that the fair connects Hoops After Dark players with job opportunities. Participants will be able to engage with the “Men of Color in the Modern Workplace” panel and interact with more than 15 employers. 

Hoops After Dark requires players to participate in personal development workshops an hour prior to each game. 

Workshops will cover job readiness, financial literacy, gun safety and de-escalation techniques. Participants will also be connected to physical and mental health resources.

Hoops after Dark, formerly known as Midnight Basketball, is an eight week basketball league and life-skills development program for males ages 18 to 26. Games take place in the evening, which tend to be peak crime hours. The program has featured more than 200 players and 1,000 spectators since it began in 2022.

In a press release last month, Nic Barlage, the CEO of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rock Entertainment Group and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, expressed his excitement about the  return of the league. 

 “We’re committed to using our platform for driving greater outcomes and are excited to see the positive and lasting impact Hoops after Dark will continue to have on the young people who participate across the greater Northeast Ohio community.”

The program is part of Mayor Justin Bibb’s strategy for crime and violence prevention.

“Through Hoops after Dark, we have the opportunity to effect tangible change within our community, and we are eager to build on the momentum and achievements of this program.” Bibb said.

Regular season play began on June 24 and runs until July 31. Playoffs will be from Aug. 7 to 14, and the championship game will take place at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Aug. 16.

Community Reporter (he/him)
I work to gain the trust of Cleveland residents through direct community engagement and storytelling. My goal is to amplify and celebrate the residents and stakeholders who contribute to the success of city neighborhoods. I’m hoping to erase the negative stigma that has been cast on some neighborhoods throughout the years.