WNBA officially coming to Toronto
The WNBA is — officially — coming to Toronto.
The league unveiled Toronto as its 14th franchise on Thursday morning, set to start play in the 2026 season. It will be the league’s first team outside the U.S.
“Adding this 14th team marks a particularly significant milestone in the ongoing growth of this league,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters at a news conference. “We’re so proud that the WNBA is now part of this open and welcoming community.”
“Toronto, welcome to the W.”
Engelbert spoke of the “rich history of women’s basketball” in Toronto. She also saw a sold-out Scotiabank Arena, almost 20,000 fans, for a May 2023 exhibition game that was the league’s first in Canada.
“We’ve seen time and time again that Toronto is home to dedicated and enthusiastic basketball fans,” Engelbert said.
Larry Tanenbaum, the chair of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment who brought the team to Toronto as part of his Kilmer Sports Ventures, said he hopes the new team inspires young girls in Toronto.
“For years, young girls in basketball have been inspired by some of the NBA greats,” Tanenbaum said. “But these young women never saw someone like themselves … Now, the WNBA has changed all that, and today, we’re changing that here in Canada.”
The announcement was attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford, Mayor Olivia Chow and multiple celebrities — including Drake, Raptors star Scottie Barnes and former Raptor Kyle Lowry.
The team will play home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place, but will also play some games in Vancouver and Montreal, Tanenbaum said.
The team will be led by president Teresa Resch, formerly an executive in the Raptors’ front office. She left her post as vice-president of basketball operations in March to join Kilmer.
“We’re going to play across Canada, different markets,” Resch said at the news conference. “We look forward to doing that in a way that no other professional sports team in Canada has ever done. These games are going to matter and we can’t wait to see you there.
“We’re gonna be everywhere.”
Tanenbaum noted it was important to invest in communities across the country.
“Success is not just about the players and the team but it is also about insuring purpose-led legacy,” he said. “Our players will serve as inspirational role models both on and off the court.”
Tanenbaum said ownership would take its time and “solicit public input” before naming the team.
There are four Canadians in the WNBA this season — Aaliyah Edwards, of Kingston, Ont. (Washington Mystics), Bridget Carleton, of Chatham, Ont. (Minnesota Lynx), Laeticia Amihere, of Milton, Ont. (Atlanta Dream), and Hamilton’s Kia Nurse (Los Angeles Sparks).
The unveiling comes as the WNBA rides a wave of momentum powered by Caitlin Clark, the former Iowa basketball star who was drafted by the Indiana Fever last month.
With files from Star wire services
This article was first reported by The Star
