It's here, it's real: Elation ensues amid WNBA expansion announcement of 'Canada's Team'

It's official. We knew it was happening. We knew it was coming. And now she's here.

In a jam-packed press conference at a swanky downtown hotel, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that the league had awarded its 14th team to the City of Toronto.

Mayor Olivia Chow proclaimed May 23, 2024 as WNBA Day in Toronto, another cherry on this massively delectable metaphoric cake.

Among the people in the room adorned with the WNBA (lovingly called "the W") announcement logo were Canada basketball legends Sylvia Sweeney, Kim Gaucher, Tammy Sutton-Brown and Tamara Tatham. Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri was flanked by Scottie Barnes and franchise alum Kyle Lowry.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on stage for the event, and it was reported that Canadian superstar artist Drake was there. I didn't see him but this day was hardly about him — it was about the women who built a foundation, the girls that will see role models step on the court, and it is about the opportunities that Canadian athletes will have to play at home.

The excitement in the room was palpable. Many reporters and journalists from the Canadian sports media scene were in attendance. There were seasoned reporters and ones just starting their careers. Broadcasters, writers and social media creatives were all capturing the moment.

I couldn't help but feel my lip quivering when the actual announcement was made. Canada has a W team. It's here. It's real.

This entire story and announcement has been a wild ride. As the journalist with the team at CBC Sports and CBC News who broke the news of the bid and the subsequent story of the finalization of the bid, it has been professionally rewarding and personally enthralling.

I ran into Gaucher and heard her