Women’s sports continue to grow in popularity each year. In May 2024, women’s sports reached another milestone when it was announced that Toronto would be getting its first WNBA team. This is not only big for Toronto but for Canada as a whole; for the older folks, it gives them flashbacks to 1995 when the Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies (now the Memphis Grizzlies) were established.
On Dec. 5, 2024, it was announced that the new women’s basketball franchise was going to be named the Toronto Tempo, with a colour scheme of wine and blue.
In an interview with Excalibur, Tempo President Teresa Resch shared: “Most team names aren’t really talking about the game itself, so we love that Tempo resonates with the game. It’s not even about being fast or slow, it’s about controlling the pace of a game. And we feel like it resonates with Torontonians and Canadians; Tempo is a heartbeat of the city. It’s really about the people and it’s a good fit for this team and this country.”
The Toronto Tempo will begin playing at the Coca-Cola Coliseum, which has a capacity of about 8,500, but with the WNBA being one of the fastest-growing leagues in North America and blockbuster players, who sell out NBA-sized arenas in multiple states, the Coca-Cola Coliseum might prove too small to accommodate the growing demand. When asked about this, Resch said, “We’re confident we can pack the Coca-Cola Coliseum and we look forward to levelling up to the Scotiabank Arena when the opportunity presents itself. And then, because we are Canada’s team, we also look forward to playing games across the country.”
Toronto is one of the biggest markets in North America, and big markets attract big names. The Raptors demonstrated this with stars like Kawhi Leonard, Vince Carter, Demar DeRozan and many more. As the Tempo prepare to tip off in 2026, the WNBA free agency offers a chance to land marquee players. Among the top names potentially available is three-time MVP and one of the greatest players to set foot on the hardwood, A’Ja Wilson. Other superstars like Sabrina Ionescu, Kayla McBride, and Arike Ogunbowale are potentials as well.
The 2026 off-season could see some of these elite players donning Tempo jerseys. “We’re going to try everything we can to attract the greatest basketball players in the world to Toronto […] and we think that Toronto and Canada have an advantage there,” said Resch.
Last October, the Raptors and York became partners. While nothing has been discussed, Resch does not rule out the possibility for collaboration: “I look forward to being a contributing member of the community. I think that’s through universities, youth programs, and even retirement programs. Ultimately, we are putting together a plan to impact our communities, and we look forward to telling everybody about it as we get closer to tip-off.”
In sports, celebrity superfans are a common sight — Nav Bhatia for the Toronto Raptors, and in women’s basketball, Jason Sudeikis and Spike Lee for the New York Liberty. When asked which celebrity she envisions supporting the Tempo, Resch said, “We hope to have all the celebrities. Honestly, we look forward to really wrapping our arms around anyone who shows love for women’s sports, specifically in Canada.”
It’s a mystery to no one that women’s basketball is growing, but this growth shouldn’t rest solely on the shoulders of the executives and players. As an audience, we play a crucial role. Resch emphasizes the importance of the media and the public in sharing the story of the Tempo:
“Find out about the Tempo, tell our story, become a fan, have a watch party, get to know about the WNBA this year, watch some games so you know who our rivals are going to be next year and you are educated about the league.”
