Tempo GM Monica Wright Rogers plotting out Toronto roster a year before WNBA debut

Monica Wright Rogers is just about ready to shift the Toronto Tempo into a new gear.

Wright Rogers has been focused on the business side of the new WNBA franchise in her first four months as the Tempo's inaugural general manager. But in the coming months, she'll turn her attention to assembling the on-court product before Toronto's debut in the 2026 season.

"It's been a very busy time, and I know that it's important right now to really get into the community, to learn the landscape of the sports industry here in Toronto and in Canada, and to continue to push the Tempo name out there," said Wright Rogers after speaking at a sports industry conference in downtown Toronto. "There is going to be a point where I shift focuses here and really start focusing on the task at hand, which is building out the Toronto Tempo's roster and staff."

Toronto's roster will take shape over the next 12 months.

WATCH | Tempo GM Wright Rogers discusses goals for 2026 season:

Meet Monica Wright Rogers, the GM of the WNBA's newest team, the Toronto Tempo

An as-yet unscheduled expansion draft after the 2025 regular season will be the first opportunity for the Tempo and Portland's new franchise to select some players. Then the regular draft and free agency in early 2026 will help Wright Rogers complete Toronto's lineup.

"Before all that we are going to hire our head coach, so those are the big to do's on my list," said Wright Rogers, who played in the WNBA for seven seasons and was previously the assistant GM of the Phoenix Mercury. "I think it's all about the strategy and that's why it is important for me to understand the landscape here.

Wright Rogers was one of the panellists at the espnW Summit Canada, a conference on the growth of women's