We now know what Toronto’s WNBA franchise will be called. According to ESPN on Thursday, the franchise will be known as the Toronto Tempo.
According to Tempo President Teresa Resch, the franchise chose tempo because it related to pace, speed, heartbeat, and energy. Toronto was awarded a WNBA franchise on May 23, 2024. It is one of three new WNBA expansion franchises. The Golden State Valkyries will start play in 2025, while the Tempo and Portland will begin play in 2026. The Tempo are the first WNBA franchise based outside the United States.
Resch came to Canada in 2013. For over a decade from August of 2013 to May of 2024, she was the Toronto Raptors Vice President of Basketball Operations. During this time, Resch was also part of the National Basketball Association’s Global Inclusion Council that was focused on the advancement and development of women in team operations and coaching positions. Since 2001, there have 15 female assistant coaches in the NBA. There are currently four female assistant coaches. They are Jenny Boucek of the Indiana Pacers, Brittni Donaldson of the Atlanta Hawks, Lindsey Harding of the Sacramento Kings, and Sonia Raman of the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Tempo will play at Coca-Cola Stadium. The arena is also the host venue for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League and the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
