The 14th WNBA team officially has a name.
Canada’s first WNBA team will be known as the Toronto Tempo, the franchise said Thursday morning.
Then again, some people already expected that to be the case after the league seemingly leaked the team name online a day earlier.
Fans were quick to note Wednesday that the WNBA’s official website had listed Canada’s team as the “Toronto Tempo.”
Their suspicions were confirmed Thursday with the team’s official announcement.
The team’s name is a nod to the hustle and bustle of the city as well as the rhythm of basketball, according to Tempo president Teresa Resch.
“Tempo is pace. It’s speed. It’s a heartbeat. And it’s what you feel when you step into the streets of this city, and in the energy of the people who call Canada home,” Resch said in a statement. “As Canada’s WNBA team, I know the Tempo will set our own pace, move at a championship cadence, and inspire people across this country.”
Toronto shared designs of several team logos in a maroon and light blue color scheme. Some people have said the Tempo’s brand was reminiscent of vintage New Balance.
Toronto crowdsourced the team’s name and brand identity, with more than 10,000 people weighing in during its “Name Your Team” campaign.
“Tempo reflects what fans can expect from this team — including, of course, the in-game experience at the arena,” Resch said. “The sounds of the court. The beat of the music. The passion of the fans around you and the intensity of the players on the floor. Capturing all that energy, excitement and feeling was crucial as we chose the name for Canada’s WNBA team.”
The Tempo are still more than a year away from their inaugural season.
Toronto is expected to be joined by the yet-to-be-named Portland franchise in playing its first season in 2026.
The Golden State Valkyries expansion team will debut in the 2025 season.