Launching a New WNBA Team: The Story of the Toronto Tempo
Summary
As the WNBA prepares to tip off its expansion into Canada, this panel will take audiences behind the curtain of launching the Toronto Tempo (the first team outside the USA). With just months to go before their inaugural game in 2026, the Tempo’s CMO and CRO will share insights into the decisions that have defined the early stages of building a professional sports team. From defining a brand to selling founding sponsorships and shaping community partnerships, this conversation explores the intersection of sport, business, and culture at a defining moment for women’s sports.
- Format: Panel
- Category: Panel
- Event Type: panel
- Presented By: n/a
Contributors
- Whitney Bell
- Matthew Klar
- Lisa Ferkul
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