WNBA Introduces Toronto Tempo Franchise

Source: WNBA / WNBA

Compared to the NBA’s 30 teams, the WNBA has only 12 clubs—but that changed this week.

Now, each league will have just one team located outside the country, as the WNBA announced the Toronto Tempo on Thursday morning.

At the helm is newly announced president Teresa Resch, who’s been vital to growing the sport in Canada, including heading up the design and construction of Raptor’s OVO Athletic Centre as well as the Raptors’ G League affiliate, the Raptors 905.

Now, she’s ready to grow the women’s game, too.

“We want that to be the story of Canada,” Resch said in an interview with Yahoo Sports on Thursday. “We want to be a story of our fans. We want to be a story of all the people, not just a group of creatives sitting in a room. So it was really important every step of the process that we included not just a lot of people, but people who care, people who are passionate [and] people who have different perspectives.”

Early reviews are in, and fans are skeptical about the name choice, but the press release describes it as an ode to Toronto’s rhythm and “the energy of the people who call Canada home. As Canada’s WNBA team, I know the Tempo will set our own pace, move at a championship cadence, and inspire people across this country.”

It also plays on Canada’s French and English communities because “tempo” means the same thing in both languages.

Plus, fans can’t be too mad at the name, as the city was inclusive by launching a Name-Your-Team program. More than 10,000 people gave their input, and then the name was picked with the help of a community council.

Now, while a name can be loved or hated, arguably more important is the logo, and Tempo pays homage to its city again with capital T leaning forward, with Resch saying it represents “the team’s desire for progress; its sharp angles and round curves a nod to the dynamic nature of the team and the game.”

The T is placed inside a basketball, and the five lines of motion represent the five players on the court. Yahoo Sports is reporting that the official colorways are Nike Bordeaux and Hydrogen Blue.

The Tempo’s set to make its debut in 2026, calling Toronto’s Coca-Cola Coliseum home. Stay locked to the Tempo’s site to stay updated on ticket availability, merchandise, and more.

See how social media is reacting to the WNBA’s latest addition below.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.