Athletes

Serena Williams Joins Ownership of Canada’s First WNBA Team

Serena Williams will join the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo alongside Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures.

By Colin Salao

Mar 03, 2025 | 02:13 pm

UPDATED Mar 03, 2025 | 02:36 pm

Tennis legend Serena Williams, seen here waving to the crowd after losing the final match of her career to Ajla Tomljanovic 2022 U.S. Open tennis, has suffered two pulmonary embolisms — the first in 2011 and the second in 2017 after the birth of her first child. She was able to return to competition both times but has also said that she needs to be vigilant for the rest of her life when it comes to early detection of blood clots.

Palm Beach Post

Canada’s first WNBA team is getting a boost from one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Serena Williams, who won 23 Grand Slam titles in women’s tennis, is joining the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, the WNBA expansion team joining the league in 2026, alongside majority owner Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Kilmer Sports Group, the team announced Monday. Her investment is still pending league approval.

The Tempo’s announcement said Williams’s role would be focused on “bringing the Tempo to life visually,” which includes helping with the team’s jersey designs and merchandise collaborations. In a statement to Front Office Sports, the team did not specify whether Williams will have a say in any of the team’s on-court decisions.

In May, the WNBA announced Toronto would receive the 14th franchise. The Tempo will enter the league next year with a still unnamed 15th team based in Portland. The Tempo will play their games at the Coca-Cola Coliseum, which is about two miles west of the Scotiabank Arena where the NBA’s Raptors play.

Williams’s Growing Portfolio

Williams’s backing in Tempo adds to her growing list of investments in sports franchises. In 2022, she invested in NWSL franchise Angel FC alongside her husband, Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian. The two also own the Los Angeles Golf Club, one of six inaugural teams in the TGL.

Williams earned $95 million throughout her professional career but is worth $340 million, according to Forbes, which she built through endorsement deals and investments. Aside from sports team ownership, she also has a venture capital firm called Serena Ventures.