Achi news desk-
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has officially announced its expansion north of the border with a first-ever Canadian team in Toronto.
All three levels of government were on hand to mark the announcement Thursday, as well as WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Toronto businessman Larry Tanenbaum, who heads Kilmer Sports Ventures that won the franchise.
“This team is Canada’s team,” Tanenbaum told an audience in downtown Toronto, which included local rap star Drake, Toronto Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes and former Raptors and 2019 NBA champion Kyle Lowry.
“Just over 30 years ago, I saw an opportunity to bring the NBA to Canada. We, as a city and as a country, were ready to welcome Canada’s first NBA franchise to Toronto. It was the right time in the right place, and I jumped at the chance,” said the chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Raptors and the NHL’s Maple Leafs.
“Today we are here because once again, we were in the right place at the right time. And that is entirely due to the talent, hard work and perseverance of the many women in this room today.”
Tanenbaum is paying the team, which has yet to be named, $50 million.
Here’s everything you need to know about Toronto’s WNBA franchise.
When will the Toronto WNBA team start play?
According to the WNBA, the Toronto team will begin play in the 2026 season in May as the league’s 14th franchise.
Where will the Toronto WNBA team play?
The team will play its home games at the 8,700 seat Coca-Cola Coliseum, located at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto. The arena is also home to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and hosted Toronto’s first Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team, as well as its first ever playoff games.
Tanenbaum said the team will play some games at Scotiabank Arena and across Canada, including stops in Vancouver and Montreal.
The team is also committed to building its own “state-of-the-art” practice facility, the league said.
How do I buy tickets?
Basketball fans looking to purchase season tickets can do so by placing a $50 deposit here.
How does the city note the news?
Mayor Olivia Chow marked the announcement on Thursday by declaring May 23 “WNBA Day” in Toronto.
“The new WNBA team will have the power to bring people together,” said Chow, reflecting on her own memories of playing the game as a teenager.
“It will give people another reason to support Toronto… The team will inspire generations of young people who will have new heroes, new role models, legends and new memories of favorite plays.”
What is the name of the team?
According to Tanenbaum, the team will take their time and “seek public input” to name the franchise.
Golden State was awarded the WNBA’s last expansion team in October. The franchise announced earlier this month that their hoops will be called the Golden State Valkyries.
With files from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press
