The WNBA accidentally leaked the team name of the expansion franchise based in Toronto that is set to debut in 2026.
On Tuesday night, X users began sharing screenshots of a drop-down list of team names found on WNBA.com. The list showed 14 WNBA teams—one more than the number of teams playing next season—and included the “Toronto Tempo.”
Winsidr senior writer Myles Ehrlich confirmed to Front Office Sports he saw the list himself and shared his screenshot on X at 10:08 p.m. ET.
On Thursday morning, the name became official, with the WNBA’s official account announcing it and the new handle taking place across social media platforms.
Introducing @TempoBasketball
— WNBA (@WNBA) December 5, 2024
Tip-off 2026. pic.twitter.com/59M2V11Li0
The WNBA did not respond to a request for comment.
The timing of the leak was premature, at least compared to the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s latest expansion team set to debut in 2025. The Valkyries announced their team name on May 14, the opening day of the 2024 WNBA season.
The Toronto expansion franchise was first announced in May, a week after the Valkyries launched their team name. It will be the league’s first team outside the U.S. The franchise is owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures CEO Larry Tanenbaum, who is also the chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NBA’s Raptors, NHL’s Maple Leafs, and MLS’s Toronto FC.
Tanenbaum reportedly paid $115 million for the team, split between the expansion fee and a new practice facility.
