Toronto WNBA game further proof Canadian market is ready for women's pro sports

This is a column by Shireen Ahmed, who writes opinion for CBC Sports.  For more information about  CBC's Opinion section , please see the  FAQ .

This past Saturday, 19,923 fans gathered at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena to watch the first WNBA game played in Canada. The crowd was excited and engaged, the arena was packed, and orange hoodies and hats could be seen throughout the arena.

The Chicago Sky faced off against the Minnesota Lynx and while the game didn't get thrilling until the end of the third quarter, the general ambiance was unlike anything I have witnessed. There was a vibrant excitement in the air and afterward I told a colleague that it felt like a festival: Lilith Fair meets AFROFEST, but for women's basketball.

This game was a celebration of women in sport: athletes, coaches, officials, sports business people, fans and the wider community. 

The days leading up to the game were filled with activities from research centres and grassroots organizations. Nike and Adidas put on panels featuring voices of women athletes and activists in the sports ecosystem. 

There is a tidal wave of interest and investment in women's sport in Canada and as I heard many say over the last week, "We are ready." I believe Canada has been ready for a long time for "She The North" in the form of domestic leagues and more funding for girls sports programs. 

The day before the game, I attended the first espnW Summit held in Canada. My CBC Sports colleagues and I took in a day that was impactful and shared perspectives from a host of women in sports media. I shared my own perspectives and experiences on a panel, but it was also a day to learn and take notes of what work is still to be done. 

But the overall theme of the