Latest news with #TorontoTempo
Reuters
8 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Portland's expansion WNBA franchise parts with president
June 27 - Portland's new WNBA team parted ways with its president less than three months after hiring her. After the Oregonian reported that the expansion franchise fired team president Inky Son, ownership group RAJ Sports released a joint statement with Son saying that she "has decided to leave the organization." Son came to Portland following a tenure as the National Basketball Players Association's chief administrative officer. The team announced her hiring on April 1. "During her brief but impactful tenure, Son helped lay the foundation for the franchise's presence in Portland, shaping its early business operations and community engagement efforts," the statement said. "Son will return to New York, where she was previously based, and the organization thanks her for her leadership during this important phase and wishes her success in her next chapter." The Oregonian reported there were significant "growing pains" behind the scenes that may have contributed to Son's departure. WNBA Portland has yet to reveal its team identity, hinting that it will do so July 15. The franchise has yet to hire a general manager. Portland will be joining the WNBA next season at the same time as another expansion franchise in Toronto. That team already announced its identity, the Toronto Tempo. --Field Level Media
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Tempo GM Monica Wright Rogers plotting out Toronto roster a year before WNBA debut
Monica Wright Rogers is just about ready to shift the Toronto Tempo into a new gear. Wright Rogers has been focused on the business side of the new WNBA franchise in her first four months as the Tempo's inaugural general manager. But in the coming months, she'll turn her attention to assembling the on-court product before Toronto's debut in the 2026 season. "It's been a very busy time, and I know that it's important right now to really get into the community, to learn the landscape of the sports industry here in Toronto and in Canada, and to continue to push the Tempo name out there," said Wright Rogers after speaking at a sports industry conference in downtown Toronto. "There is going to be a point where I shift focuses here and really start focusing on the task at hand, which is building out the Toronto Tempo's roster and staff." Toronto's roster will take shape over the next 12 months. Meet Monica Wright Rogers, the GM of the WNBA's newest team, the Toronto Tempo 4 months ago Duration 12:57 An as-yet unscheduled expansion draft after the 2025 regular season will be the first opportunity for the Tempo and Portland's new franchise to select some players. Then the regular draft and free agency in early 2026 will help Wright Rogers complete Toronto's lineup. "Before all that we are going to hire our head coach, so those are the big to do's on my list," said Wright Rogers, who played in the WNBA for seven seasons and was previously the assistant GM of the Phoenix Mercury. "I think it's all about the strategy and that's why it is important for me to understand the landscape here. "That plays a role in the strategy of what players would be the right fit for this organization and what staff will be appropriate to not only lead us on the court, but lead us off the court as well." Why WNBA draft could provide clearest route for Tempo to acquire franchise player in 2026 Wright Rogers was one of the panellists at the espnW Summit Canada, a conference on the growth of women's sport in downtown Toronto, on Wednesday. Prepping for veteran-centric league During her talk, she noted that the WNBA is a veteran-centric league, with rookies usually taking two or three years to fully develop and keep pace with their more experienced peers. As a result, she expects free agency to be the most important step in building the Tempo's roster. Wright Rogers doesn't anticipate that being an issue for the Tempo. "I'm looking for the best players, but I think Canada has some of the best players in the league," said Wright Rogers, noting that the WNBA's current group of international players is also very strong. "I think specifically WNBA players are not foreign to playing internationally because a lot of us have, when I was a player included, have played in the WNBA, and then we play internationally in the off-season. "It won't be a big pain point for players to come across the border in that way or come across the water in that way. They're used to it." Wright Rogers was named the GM of the Tempo on Feb. 20. She said she wasn't expecting such excitement around the announcement, but found it an encouraging sign for her future roster. "I love that because, to me, that warm embrace and appetite and just the hospitality that I feel, I know our staff and players are going to feel when they get here as well," she said, standing in a courtyard at the Evergreen Brick Works. "That makes me really happy, because it's like people enter this team and they come on board and they just get a big Canadian hug."
New York Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
WNBA files trademarks for the name ‘Portland Fire' and stylized ‘P' logo
The WNBA filed trademarks for the name 'Portland Fire' and a stylized 'P' logo earlier this week, potentially indicating that the league's 15th franchise will revive the Fire name from the team that existed from 2000-02. The league's expansion to Portland was announced in September 2024, and the team will begin play in 2026 alongside the Toronto Tempo. The organization has teased an announcement for next month — a statement from a spokesperson for WNBA Portland reads, 'The countdown is on. We'll see you July 15!' The countdown is on ⏰ — WNBA Portland (@wnbaportland) June 20, 2025 If it does choose the name Fire, the new Portland team is hoping it doesn't carry the prior team's track record. The Fire had three unremarkable seasons during the WNBA's first decade, cracking .500 in their final year in the league and never qualifying for the playoffs. The franchise folded due to financial losses, one of six teams to fold by 2009. Advertisement The expansion Portland team hired Inky Son, formerly the chief administrative officer of the National Basketball Players Association, as its team president earlier this year and the organization's first employee. The organization also broke ground on its practice facility in April, a space that will be shared with the NWSL's Portland Thorns, who are also under the same ownership of RAJ Sports. However, while Toronto has hired a general manager and assistant GM among other employees, in addition to revealing its team branding, Portland has yet to build out its basketball operations staff. Both franchises will also have to hire head coaches before the expansion draft following the 2025 WNBA season. The league is still in the process of expansion and accepted bids for its 16th franchise through January. More than 10 groups submitted formal bids, but the WNBA has not yet announced a winner.
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Unearthed trademark application may have revealed Portland's WNBA name
The WNBA can try as hard as it may, but hiding potential team names doesn't seem to be something that's working very well for any new expansion franchises. In December 2024, as the world was waiting for the league's Toronto team to reveal its name, some crafty fans beat the organization and the WNBA to it. How did that happen? A glitch in the league's site. The name "Toronto Tempo" was found hidden within the inner search functions, and the speculation went off the rails quickly. The organization was forced to confirm the name days later. The latest case might not be exactly the same thing, but it's another possible team name leak ― the second within the last six months. The Rose Garden Report's Sean Highkin, who initially reported that the city of Portland was getting a WNBA team, also unearthed new Portland-related trademark applications by the WNBA. The applications appear to be for the name "Portland Fire" and a possible logo, indicating that the league potentially plans to re-use the iconic name. The Portland Fire franchise ran from 2000 to 2002 before folding. The news of such a discovery permeated WNBA circles, and eventually, there were lots of feelings related to the news. It's unclear whether the league actually plans to use the name, but the Portland social account on X shared a countdown to an announcement on July 15. (Do with this information what you will.) Regardless, it's time to govern yourselves accordingly. There's possible action afoot.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tempo hilariously calls on WNBA teams for mascot tips ahead of 2026 debut
The post Tempo hilariously calls on WNBA teams for mascot tips ahead of 2026 debut appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Toronto Tempo are blossoming into a new WNBA team as they approach their debut season in 2026. As they sort out logistics, the Tempo team is seeking the advice of other teams on how they do things, particularly regarding mascots. Advertisement On Thursday, the Tempo engaged with eventual competitors about ideas for mascots on their X page. They contacted all the WNBA teams to gather their input on how to create the best mascot. On one post, the Tempo asked for counsel on dancing from the Indiana Fever's mascot, Freddy Fever. 'Hello @FreddyFever We see the dances. We see the vibe. Can you let us know how we can bring something like that to Toronto?' In another post, they sought advice from the New York Liberty's mascot, Ellie the Elephant, on how to create the greatest mascot of all time. 'Hey DIVA @BigEllieLiberty any advice you can give us for having a GOAT mascot?'. Then, the Tempo reached out to Sparky from the Los Angeles Sparks to ask about sampling their mascot's athletic abilities. Advertisement 'We didn't forget about our pal Sparky @LASparks! Can you please ask him for us what it takes to be a top-tier mascot? We've seen the athleticism; we are impressed and taking notes.' The Tempo mascot has a template to follow. Out of all the mascots, it is Ellie the Elephant that is considered the most popular in the WNBA. At Liberty games, she gets the fans involved through elaborate dance performances. Additionally, Ellie has gone viral on multiple occasions for her energy. As a result, there is at least one example for the Tempo to follow. While the mascot is yet to be determined, there is much anticipation about the WNBA in Toronto. After all, the Tempo has Serena Williams as an investor. The idea of a WNBA team in Toronto first came to fruition after the Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx played an exhibition there in May 2023. Advertisement The buzz surrounding the game was palpable, culminating in a sold-out crowd of 19,800 at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena. Related: Coco Gauff reveals hopes for WNBA expansion team in this city Related: Coco Gauff's 'insane' reaction to frenzied ovation at Liberty-Sky game
