Toronto awarded WNBA's 1st team outside U.S., to play in '26 - ESPN

Toronto has been awarded the WNBA's first franchise outside the United States, with the expansion team set to begin play in 2026.

Larry Tanenbaum-led Kilmer Sports Ventures is paying $50 million for the team. Tanenbaum also is the chairman and a minority owner of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the Toronto sports giant that owns the NHL's Maple Leafs and NBA's Raptors along with Toronto's MLS and Canadian Football League franchises.

«Growing internationally, I've been trying to think through next steps on a global platform,» WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told The Associated Press ahead of the official announcement Thursday morning. «It helps us reach new audiences and bring in new partners. The thing I love about going to another country is that the young girls and boys get to see professional basketball for women is important too.»

Toronto will be the WNBA's 14th franchise, with the expansion Golden State Valkyries set to start play next year.

«Our Toronto sports franchises are thriving, but we have been missing one critical piece — women's professional sports,» Tanenbaum told the AP. «The world is finally taking notice of something that's been there all along — the immense talent, passion and competition in women's sports. So once again, I saw an opportunity and knew we were in the right place at the right time to bring Canada's first WNBA team to Toronto. And now we have, making sports history.»

Toronto will play at the 8,700-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place and will have the ability to move up to the Scotiabank Arena on occasion. Opened in 1921, the Coca-Cola Coliseum also is the home of the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies.

«Women's sports is good business,» Tanenbaum said. «Just look