The Toronto Tempo is officially hitting the court this April as the Women’s National Basketball Association‘s (WNBA) 14th franchise and the first-ever WNBA team outside the United States, so let’s talk Tempo.
The Big Picture
After years of anticipation, the WNBA has officially given Toronto a team. The team is owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures (led by Larry Tanenbaum) and has made its mark on a new age of women’s professional sports in Canada.
League: WNBA (Eastern Conference)
Inaugural Season: 2026/27
Primary Home Court: Coca-Cola Coliseum (Exhibition Place)
Secondary Home Court: Scotiabank Arena (for high-demand games like vs. Caitlin Clark on June 27, 2026)
But Who’s Actually on the Team?
The team is still developing the entire roster, but the foundation was laid during the expansion draft on April 3rd, when the Tempo had the opportunity to select 11 players from existing franchises.
Guards: Marina Mabrey, Kristy Wallace, Julie Allemand, Lexi Held, Kitija Laksa
Forwards: Maria Kliundikova, Nikolina Milić, María Conde, Adja Kane
Center: Nyara Sabally
Swing (G/F): Aaliyah Nye
Some important dates coming up include the WNBA entry draft on April 13th. Be sure to look into who was picked for the complete roster!
Leadership
The Tempo has a stacked coaching staff, so let’s take a look at a few of them:
- Sandra Anne Brondello is the head coach of the Tempo and has over 25 years of coaching experience in the WNBA, including two WNBA championships, one Coach of the Year award, and numerous other accolades.
- For other coaches, the Tempo has Associate Head Coach Olaf Lange and assistant coaches Carly Clarke, Ciara Carl, Brian Lankton, and Sadie Edwards. Most notably, Carly Clarke spent her last season coaching the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Champions, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Women’s basketball team during the 2025/26 season and is the only Canadian coach for this team
Why the Tempo Matters
The Toronto Tempo isn’t just a basketball team; it’s another pillar in the growth of women’s sports and professional leagues in Canada. They join an era of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), Northern Super League (NSL), and now WNBA, bringing a whole new level of depth to the sports scene in Toronto. So look out for tickets, catch a game on TV, but pay attention to the potential the Tempo brings.