Thousands of Cavs fans attend Game 7 thanks to Cavs owner Dan Gilbert

DETROIT — Who is a great and well-respected sports team owner in Cleveland?

Think wine and gold because, for many Cleveland fans, it's Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.

"The Haslams could learn something from Mr. Gilbert," said Olmstead Falls resident Brandt Heinrich, referring to Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam.

Gilbert did something special for his Cavs season ticket holders for Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Detroit Pistons — he charted more than 20 buses filled with thousands of fans for an all-expenses-paid trip to Detroit for the game.

Gilbert has been the only team owner in Cleveland so far to bring fans on the road.

Here are some of the thousands of #Cavs fans at Little Caesars Arena for Game 7. Señor Cleveland leading the chants pic.twitter.com/Iz0T23xZZ1— Alisson Toro-Lagos 🇨🇱 (@atlTVnews) May 18, 2026

"It's f---ing unreal. I would do anything for Dan. This is insane. We have never been to a Game 7 before," Emily Johnson said.

"It's something most people won't do, and the fact that a big sports owner is willing to do it for the dedication of his fans is just incredible," said Dalton Harper.

Johnson and Harper and are both from Canton, and they said they always drive the hour just to go to Cavs home games. They said they are very committed Cavs fans.

Macho-masked up fan Senor Cleveland said he, too, is extremely thankful of Gilbert.

"He put all of this together for free. Everyone has been awesome. We were fed before hitting the road [and] it was like 1,500 of us. It's been phenomenal," he said.

Wearing a Cavs wrestling belt, Senor Cleveland was leading most of the fan chants for his side of the arena. At times, Cavs fans were louder than Pistons fans.

"I had to bring the vibes, you got to," he said. "As long as everyone is cheering and having a good time with no issues, that's what I like — to get everyone hyped and excited."

Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson spoke pregame about Gilbert's support

Game 7 wasn't the first time Gilbert went all-in for Cavs fans. He also sent just under 10 buses of fans for Games 1 and 2 of the series.

Before taking on the Pistons, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson was asked about the fan presence at road games.

"I noticed it, the players noticed. It's extremely generous of him," he said of Gilbert. "He wants to win badly, and having more support, it matters when you see friendly faces."

Read more about the Cleveland Cavaliers at https://www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cavs/

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs owner Dan Gilbert helps thousands of Cavaliers fans attend Game 7