Nearly two weeks after the news was first announced that the WNBA would expand to Toronto, a Thursday morning press conference confirmed the league's newest franchise.
Spearheaded by Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures, the WNBA’s 14th team will begin play in the 2026 season.
“Today is a game-changing day not only for women’s basketball but also for sports in Canada,” said Tanenbaum.
“This franchise will be Canada’s team and we are so excited to unite the country and inspire pride and passion in fans from coast to coast.”
Tanenbaum is also the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman, which most notably owns the Toronto Raptors of the NBA and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The first WNBA team to be based outside of the United States has yet to have a name and will call the Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto home.
That's tuff, Rae. 😤 @Raehoops x #WNBACanadaGame pic.twitter.com/g2V9g6QVPU
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) May 5, 2024
The team also plans to play some games at Scotiabank Arena (home of the Raptors and Maple Leafs) and various games nationwide.
“Bringing a WNBA team to Toronto represents an important milestone for our league as we continue to expand both domestically and outside the United States,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
“With Larry Tanenbaum’s distinguished record of leading successful sports franchises and Toronto’s appeal as a dynamic, diverse city that cares deeply about the game of basketball, we are confident that this new team will thrive as a first-class WNBA organization and become a great source of inspiration and support for the Toronto-area community and across Canada.”
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