Toronto gets WNBA expansion team: Everything we know about Larry Tanenbaum, plans for women’s basketball in Canada | Sporting News

Toronto looks set to be the next stop for the WNBA.

The women’s pro basketball league is awarding an expansion team to Toronto billionaire Larry Tanenbaum and the Kilmer Sports Inc., CBC Sports reported Friday morning. Tanenbaum has been a vocal about his desire to bring women’s basketball to the Six, and his wish is on track to be granted.

While the WNBA has not announced its expansion to Toronto, an official announcement is expected to come May 23 in the city, per CBC Sports. 

The WNBA granted Golden State an expansion franchise in October 2023, with that team set to begin play in 2025. The San Francisco Bay Area team will bring the league’s total to 13, and the WNBA aimed to add another.

Here is everything you need to know about the WNBA’s Toronto expansion.

MORE: When to expect Toronto, Golden State to join WNBA

Is Toronto getting a WNBA team?

Toronto is expected to be awarded a WNBA expansion franchise, CBC Sports reported Friday, though no official announcement has been made just yet.

“We continue to engage in productive conversations with interested ownership groups in a number of markets but have no news to report at this time,” a WNBA spokesperson told CBC Sports. 

Courtney Glen, vice president of public affairs and communications for the Kilmer Group, said the group has “no update at this time” in a statement to CBC Sports. 

Women’s basketball is exploding in popularity in the U.S. and Canada. But Canada does not have a professional women’s basketball league, which is part of the reason why Tanenbaum pushed for a WNBA team to land in Toronto
.

While it may be the first WNBA team to be located in the country, it’s not the first time the women’s pro league has stepped foot in the Great White North.

Two WNBA preseason games were played in the country, including one in Toronto in 2023 and one in Edmonton on May 7 of this season. An exhibition matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and the Chicago Sky sold out at the Scotiabank Arena last year, while just last Saturday, more than 16,000 tickets were sold for a preseason game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Seattle Storm at Rogers Place.

MORE: Taurasi-Clark ‘beef’ explained: WNBA legend calls fans sensitive

Who is Larry Tanenbaum?

Tanenbaum, 79, is a minority owner and chairman of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, the sporting company that owns the Maple Leafs of the NHL, Raptors of the NBA, Toronto FC of the MLS, the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL and the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

He also is the chairman and CEO of the Kilmer Group. When the MLSE board turned down the prospect of a WNBA team, Tanenbaum pursued the opportunity separately, per CBC Sports.

When will the Toronto WNBA team start play?

The Toronto WNBA team is expected to start play in May 2026, CBC Sports reported.

Where will the Toronto WNBA team play?

The Toronto WNBA team is expected to play at Coca-Cola Coliseum. 

The 8,000-seat arena in Toronto is currently the home for the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. In addition, Toronto’s Professional Women’s Hockey League franchise played several games at the venue during its inaugural 2023-24 season.

Toronto WNBA team name

It is not known what the team name for the Toronto WNBA team will be.