In a groundbreaking move for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Canadian news outlet CBC and CNN’s newsgathering partner have revealed plans for the addition of an expansion franchise in Toronto. According to sources close to the matter, the ownership group will be led by Toronto billionaire Larry Tanenbaum of Kilmer Sports Inc., with the team set to commence play in 2026. This development marks the first WNBA franchise to be established outside the United States. CBC claims that an official announcement is imminent, scheduled for May 23rd.
A spokesperson for the WNBA stated that they remain engaged in discussions with prospective owners across various locations but have yet to disclose any further details regarding the expansion. The Kilmer Group, which includes Kilmer Sports, has declined to offer an update at present. Tanenbaum, who serves as chair of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd and is a governor of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, and Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC, has been cited as the prospective owner of the new franchise.
In recent years, the WNBA has announced plans to expand its ranks to sixteen teams, with an initial expansion franchise set to join the league in 2025. At present, the league comprises twelve franchises, with teams located primarily in the United States. Nevertheless, during her remarks at the league’s annual draft ceremony held in New York City last month, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert revealed that Toronto, alongside Philadelphia, Portland, Denver, and the South Florida area, had been discussed as potential sites for additional teams.
The new Toronto outfit is slated to play its games at the 8,000-capacity Coca-Cola Coliseum, which currently houses the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies and the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) Toronto entry. If confirmed, this development would significantly boost the profile of women’s basketball in Canada, where the sport is still in its nascent stages. The Toronto franchise would join the Las Vegas Aces as the only other current WNBA teams based outside the United States.
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