WNBA Growth: 4 Main Developments From Toronto Workforce’s Official Announcement

Canada has been awarded the franchise it has been ready for a very long time, due to Larry Tanenbaum and Kilmer Sports activities Ventures, who’re prepared to pay $50 million to welcome the WNBA’s first franchise outdoors america. Now, Toronto’s first WNBA workforce is scheduled to start enjoying in 2026.

“Rising internationally, I’ve been making an attempt to assume by way of the subsequent steps on a worldwide platform,” mentioned WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert whereas saying the WNBA’s subsequent transfer. She added, “It helps us attain new audiences and herald new companions. The factor I really like about going to a different nation is that the younger women and boys get to see that skilled basketball for ladies is necessary, too.” She unveiled the key behind the WNBA’s spectacular transfer.

As this official announcement was aired, it garnered the eye of hundreds of thousands. Whereas most spectators had been ecstatic for Toronto, others raised eyebrows anticipating main developments. So, listed below are the highest 4 main developments in regards to the workforce:

The place will Toronto’s first workforce play?

To welcome the WNBA’s 14th sports activities franchise, it should have its first recreation towards the Golden State Valkyries. They’re scheduled to play subsequent 12 months for his or her inaugural season. Curiously, the workforce will likely be enjoying its dwelling video games on the 8,700-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place. However what about further video games?

For these, Scotiabank Area and venues throughout Canada will likely be booked. Not solely this, however the workforce may also construct a brand new, state-of-the-art facility for apply “that will likely be devoted to the workforce and group initiatives”. However what’s the title of Canada’s first dwelling workforce?

WNBA 14th franchise nonetheless unnamed

Because the workforce will likely be Toronto’s first, it will need to have some out-of-the-box title. And that’s why there is no such thing as a workforce title or colours decided but for Toronto’s WNBA growth franchise. Nevertheless, the workforce is open to ideas. On Might 23, Teresa Resch mentioned that the workforce could be taking ideas from followers.

Nevertheless, one factor is definite: “We wish to maintain Canada on the forefront, one thing that basically represents Canada, to ensure it represents Canada…We additionally wish to ensure that it represents ladies strongly, and we wish to be certain that it’s actually, actually cool,” shared Resch in a press convention. Nevertheless, discovering a workforce title shouldn’t be the one difficulty.

A problem to sort out: Roster

In line with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, roster spots are one other main difficulty. With 12 groups already enjoying, there are two extra forthcoming groups within the following season: Valkyries in 2025 and the Toronto WNBA franchise in 2026. Engelbert added, “That [adding four teams] will add 48 roster spots in simply a few years.”

Notably, the workforce is hoping for 48 spots by 2028 together with 4 new groups. Looks as if all issues are sorted, proper? However there’s a slight twist on this story. Similar to the whole lot else, the WNBA franchise in Toronto has confronted a variety of criticism. However how did the WNBA growth get authorized?

All’s nicely that ends nicely

To share this information among the many spectators, ESPN took to its Twitter account and penned an replace declaring the WNBA Board of Governors’ voting system. They wrote, “Solely the New York Knicks voted towards the growth. Knicks are suing Raptors in a case over alleged ‘theft of proprietary info’”.

When the WNBA franchise growth was voted on, it acquired a 13-0 vote from the WNBA Board of Governors, whereas the NBA’s Board of Governors voted 29-1. Curiously, solely one of many New York Knicks voted towards it. And it was none aside from James Dolan.