Several media reports say the WNBA is officially coming to Toronto. The Chicago Sky take on the Minnesota Lynx in WNBA pre-season basketball action in Toronto on Saturday May 13, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS
The anticipated arrival of the WNBA in Toronto is hailed not only as a milestone for women's basketball in Canada but also as a significant development for women's sports overall.
According to Canadian Women and Sport CEO Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, this move, along with other initiatives like the Professional Women's Hockey League's success and Project 8's planned professional women's soccer league, holds promise for both commercial and social impacts.
Sandmeyer-Graves emphasized the potential to expand the fan base and engagement in women's sports, citing a growing interest among Canadians. While the WNBA has yet to confirm the reports, discussions with potential ownership groups are ongoing. Larry Tanenbaum's Kilmer Group, associated with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, is reportedly involved in the franchise acquisition.
Despite media speculation, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has refrained from providing specifics until the deal is finalized. Nevertheless, Canadian enthusiasm for women's sports is evident, with successful WNBA pre-season games hosted in Canada in recent years. Sandmeyer-Graves credited NBA Canada managing director Leah MacNab for advocating the Toronto franchise concept, highlighting the success of past WNBA exhibition games. Canadian women's hockey star Sarah Nurse expressed excitement about the potential impact of a WNBA team in Toronto, foreseeing positive outcomes for basketball in Canada.
The WNBA's recent announcement of charter flights further hints at potential expansion into Canada, indicating growing momentum for the league's presence beyond the United States.
