The WNBA is moving forward with its expansion plans. According to a report from CBC Sports, Toronto has been awarded a WNBA franchise.
The league is reportedly expected to make an official announcement on May 23. The team is being purchased by Kilmer Sports Inc., led by billionaire Larry Tanenbaum.
Tanenbaum is also the minority owner of the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs and chairman of Maple Leads Sports & Entertainment, though the new WNBA franchise will not be under the MLSE umbrella.
The team will begin play in May 2026 and will play home games at the 8,000-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum. The Toronto Marlies and Toronto's PWHL team currently play their home games at the venue.
"It will happen before the college draft and we'll share more details when we get closer to that," WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently said regarding expansion. "Talking to general managers and coaches and teams and owners, there will be an expansion draft this year and it will probably be in December."
Golden State also was recently awarded a WNBA team. With Golden State and Toronto in the fold, that would bring the WNBA to 14 teams. Engelbert has previously stated that she wants to get the league to 16 teams in the coming years.
