Toronto has been awarded the WNBA’s first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026. The team will be owned by Larry Tanenbaum-led Kilmer Sports Ventures.
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri, left, Larry Tanenbaum of Kilmer Sports Ventures and WNBA Toronto team president Teresa Resch pose for a photo during a press conference announcing the city’s WNBA franchise, in Toronto on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Larry Tanenbaum of Kilmer Sports Ventures, left, and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak following a press conference announcing Toronto ’s WNBA franchise, in Toronto on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
“Growing internationally, I’ve been trying to think through next steps on a global platform,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told The Associated Press ahead of the official announcement Thursday. “It helps us reach new audiences and bring in new partners. The thing I love about going to another country is that the young girls and boys get to see professional basketball for women is important, too.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the press conference in Toronto, along with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. Kilmer Sports Ventures, created as a stand-alone company to operate the team, has committed to building a practice facility. But until that is ready, it will train at University of Toronto’s Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. Tanenbaum said they’ll solicit public input for the name of the team.
Womens National Basketball Association Toronto General News AP Top News WNBA Basketball Toronto Raptors A S Sports U.S. News World News Ontario Olivia Chow U.S. News World News
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