Amid the usual excitement of the WNBA season getting started, there is a distinct buzz around two markets — Portland and Toronto. For Toronto in particular, on top of the excitement around camp that comes from an expansion franchise, the team is also acclimating to a new country. There’s been talk about how to get all the right TV channels, the ever-changing Toronto spring weather, and even a trip to the hockey rink among players as they get settled.
Overall, the general feel around training camp has been excitement about officially bringing the WNBA to Canada.
“The WNBA has always been played in America, but now we get to take it to Canada,” head coach Sandy Brondello said to the media at Tempo training camp. “There’s a responsibility and an opportunity to grow the game here in Canada, to be role models for these young girls … they get to see it live.”
Brondello has been vocal with her new team about the opportunity to be part of history with this franchise. A few of the players at camp didn’t even realize there was no form of professional basketball for women here in Canada — no semi-pro league or a version of the leagues many players have been a part of in Europe, Australia and Asia. They are now starting to realize just how big a deal this season will be, not just in Toronto, but across Canada.
“You can feel the buzz in the city,” Marina Mabrey said on Sunday as camp kicked off. “I see people with Tempo things on, a couple of people knew me, which was kind of cool in Canada. Having the support of the fans is huge when you’re trying to find your footing.”
One player in particular who already knows how much this team means to the Canadian fans is the Canadian herself, Kia Nurse. The Olympian made headlines last week when she signed with the Tempo, becoming the franchise’s first-ever Canadian player.
“It just felt like the right time, there was something in my gut telling me this was the right decision to make,” Nurse said in her first media availability since joining the Tempo. While it’s something she’s been doing since high school, Nurse will take on the “Canadian ambassador” role on this roster, both when it comes to welcoming the fans to the WNBA experience, and also as it comes to welcoming her teammates to the Canadian experience.
Another unique aspect of starting camp with an expansion team is that every single person is starting with a fresh team. There is no precedent, but it also means that everyone feels a little more on equal ground as camp has started. Brondello mentioned that teaching has been a big focus of the first few days of camp, just getting people used to the system and getting out there to run.
“We have to have patience, but urgency at the same time,” Brondello said on day two of camp. “We have to continue to grow day in and day out … we have to win the day and build a foundation.”
While there is an understanding that this is an expansion team, and results may not necessarily come quickly, there is also a ton of belief already in this roster. The Golden State Valkyries did their part in changing the narrative around the ceiling of expansion teams in the 2025 season, and the Tempo have every intention of continuing that narrative in 2026.
When asked what her goals are for this team, Brittney Sykes said on Monday that they are focused on “continuing the success of our league,” mainly by putting out a great product.
“I want to be a part of a winning team,” Mabrey added. “I want to be someone who can lead, but also get to a point where we are fighting for a championship. [This team] has put their trust in me.”
That duo of Mabrey and Sykes will be both on-court and off-court leaders for the Tempo. Mabrey’s $1 million dollar+ contract for this season was the first one of that amount processed by the league in free agency, making her the WNBA’s first-ever million-dollar contract. She is vocal about knowing that means she has a job to do, and is excited about the opportunity for fans to see her step into a new role.
This team also has the utmost trust and belief from their higher-ups, and the unique distinction of having both a head coach in Brondello and a general manager in Monica Wright Rogers, who were former players. That has created a sense of trust and communication throughout the team already, with the players knowing their front office understands their needs and goals.
On top of that, the City of Toronto is already betting on the Tempo as well. Last week, it was announced that the Tempo will collaborate with the city on a $100 million Toronto Tempo Performance Centre that will open in 2028. The facility will be steps from the Tempo’s home at Coca-Cola Coliseum, and feature two practice courts, locker rooms and outdoor features to bring the community together. Set to operate year-round, city officials told the media in a press conference that the building will hold over 2,000 annual hours of community programming.
For now, the Tempo have their practice and training set up at the University of Toronto campus. In addition to that, the team recently revealed their private locker rooms and facilities at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
With the support of the fans, the front office, the city, and the continued narrative that this is “Canada’s Team,” the only thing left is for the Tempo to finalize their roster and start the season. Several of their players have not arrived at training camp yet due to overseas team commitments, but they are expected in the coming days. Brondello will ease them into camp to make sure they are rested, but their arrival will also mean the beginning of roster cuts.
The Tempo will operate with 18 players during training camp, but will have to narrow that down to 12 fully-rostered players and two “developmental players” before opening night. The WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement states that teams must have 12 players on their roster and can now also sign two developmental players. These players have a limit on the number of games they can be active for, will be paid a stipend, have provided housing, and will train with the team. They can also be converted to standard WNBA contracts throughout the season, should the need arise.
While there is more opportunity to make the roster than in recent seasons, it will still be a tough battle for those final spots. The Tempo have a mix of veteran talent, international talent, and young rookies to choose from.
For now, fans eagerly await the team’s home opener on May 8, which is set to be both the start of competition and a celebration of everything it took to get to this point.
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