Serena Williams Joins Ownership of Toronto Tempo, Canada’s First WNBA Team

• Canadian Toronto Tempo has the ownership group that has been recently joined by Serena Williams, the upcoming WNBA team that will debut in 2026.
• She intends to elevate women’s sports through ownership and branding; she continues to build her legacy as a champion of female sports figures.

Again, Serena Williams is creating history, this time off the court. The ten-time Grand Slam champion has officially joined the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, the first-ever Canadian WNBA team, set to hit the court in 2026.

Announced on Monday, Williams will partner with Kilmer Sports Ventures Chairman Larry Tanenbaum to bring women’s professional basketball into Canada. Well-known in recent decades for her ability, Williams is now following her passion for women’s sports through investment and legacy building in basketball.

Beyond the Game

For Williams, this is not just about the ownership of a team; it is about being an advocate for female athletes and female sports in general.

“I am thrilled to announce my ownership role in the first Canadian WNBA team, the Toronto Tempo,” Williams shared. “This moment is not just about basketball; it is about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes. I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity. I am excited to partner with Larry and all of Canada in creating this new WNBA franchise and legacy.”

In a full-circle moment, Williams made her debut as a professional tennis player in Canada at age 14. Now, almost 30 years later, she returns in yet another capacity—this time, to influence the future of women’s basketball.

Applying the Star Magic to Toronto

Will she sit comfortably behind the scenes? Williams will be part of the owner-family building the franchise’s identity from the jersey designs to even the colour schemes. With so much clout in the world of sports and fashion, her inputs become dynamic installments of the team’s appeal.

And I’m sure Teresa Resch, president of Tempo, couldn’t be more thrilled.

“Serena is a champion. She’s the greatest athlete of all time, and her impact on this team and this country is going to be incredible. She’s set the bar for women in sports, business and the world. Her commitment to using that success to create opportunities for other women is inspiring. We’re thrilled to be marking the lead-up to International Women’s Day with this announcement.”

Investing with The Whole Family in Women’s Sports

Williams’ decision to sink money into the WNBA is not surprising. She has long been an advocate for women’s sports, with investments in the Los Angeles-based Angel City FC women’s soccer club, a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins, and the Los Angeles Golf Club.

It doesn’t hurt that her husband, Alexis Ohanian, is also deeply committed to supporting women athletes. Last year he contributed millions to Virginia’s women’s basketball program as part of the plan to inspire and nurture the future stars.

Williams is joining an increasing group of retired athletes, including Magic Johnson, Tom Brady, Dwyane Wade, and Renee Montgomery, who are considered investors in the WNBA.

A Life-Changer for WNBA and Canada

Toronto Tempo is a newsmaker and makes all the difference for fans of basketball in Canada. The city, which has long sung the praises of basketball thanks to the Toronto Raptors, has further been enhanced by the WNBA, which delivers an even higher performance.

Tempo is bound to garner major sponsorships on the back of Williams’ star power and dedication to establishing opportunities in women’s sports, with plenty of media attention and a respectable fan following.

Instead of treating it as another personal investment, Williams is creating opportunities for women. She is lifting women’s sports while giving them more chances and will surely impress the upcoming generation. And as history shows, big things happen when Serena Williams gets in the game.

The countdown to Toronto Tempo’s debut in 2026 has started.