The Women’s National Basketball Association made history Friday evening as the Toronto Tempo launched their debut season, marking the league’s first expansion beyond American borders.
A capacity crowd of 8,210 enthusiastic supporters packed Coca-Cola Coliseum to witness the Tempo face off against the Washington Mystics in their historic home opener. Spectators of all ages donned the team’s signature bordeaux and borealis blue colors, creating an atmosphere of excitement throughout the venue.
The evening began with tremendous energy as fans erupted in celebration following the Toronto Children’s Choir’s performance of “O Canada.” During game breaks, young girls wearing Tempo merchandise were featured on the arena’s large screen, entertaining the crowd with their spirited dance moves.
While Canadian player Kia Nurse received warm applause during team introductions, soccer legend Christine Sinclair generated some of the evening’s most enthusiastic and sustained ovations when she appeared on the video board.
This milestone represents a significant development for both the WNBA and Canada, as the country previously had no opportunity for women to compete in elite professional basketball within their homeland.
For 30-year-old Nurse, who was raised in the Toronto suburbs, this moment fulfills a long-held dream.
“It’s really special and it’s kind of a full-circle moment,” Nurse commented earlier this week, expressing that she’s “grateful for the opportunity to be on this stage and to be given this platform for growing women’s basketball in Canada.”
The city demonstrated its enthusiasm for professional women’s basketball in 2023 when an exhibition matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and Chicago Sky attracted nearly 20,000 fans to Scotiabank Arena, the home venue of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors.
Team members noticed the mounting anticipation even before taking the court, as devoted local supporters expressed their commitment in the days preceding the season opener.
According to Tempo center Temi Fágbénlé, who experienced a similar launch with the Golden State Valkyries last season, such enthusiasm typically accompanies being “the new thing in town.”
“But it’s more than just a new thing,” Fágbénlé explained. “It’s supporting women’s sports. So many young girls [and] older women as well haven’t seen this in Canada.”
Nurse anticipates this increased exposure will strengthen the national team program, predicting that eventually “you’ll be able to field an entire (Canadian) Olympic roster from WNBA players because these will be Tempo-influenced players.”
The veteran guard has also stressed to her fellow players that they carry the support of an entire nation.
Embracing their identity as “Canada’s team,” the Tempo will host two regular-season contests each in Montreal and Vancouver this year. Nurse believes these appearances will foster connection among fans and aspiring players nationwide.
“(Sports is) a place where you belong,” Nurse stated. “It’s a place where you can look out on the court and see somebody that looks like you and resonate with them, resonate with their story.”
“To be able to do that across Canada is truly special.”
Head coach Sandy Brondello, like her players, views the franchise as evidence of women’s basketball’s continued expansion.
With 27 years of WNBA experience and two championship titles, Brondello has witnessed the league’s transformation through franchise additions, corporate partnerships, and growing fan interest in women’s professional basketball.
She believes the Tempo’s arrival will sustain this positive trajectory, particularly throughout Canada.
“We are creating history,” Brondello declared. “But we want to make history, too.”
