What Team Is Toronto Tempo? WNBA Fans in Agony as Possible Expansion Franchise Name Surfaces

The WNBA is flourishing like never before, breaking viewership records this year with a surge in attendance. Kudos to standout rookies like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who have made a huge impact on the league. But that’s not all. The WNBA is expanding for the first time in a long time. The Golden State Valkyries will officially be joining next season, with more teams in the pipeline.
In May, the WNBA revealed its 14th franchise will be located in Toronto, marking the first team outside the US, following in the footsteps of the NBA. However, a premature website leak may have unveiled the team name early, causing some uproar.

The Canadian team’s social media presence has been active for months. Alongside Toronto, Portland is set to join the league in 2026, bringing the total teams to 15.
More teams mean more opportunities for players, more games for fans, and more evidence that the WNBA is here to stay.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasized this growth, stating, “The basketball was great, but the business was not,” when she assumed her role. The Valkyries expansion draft is scheduled for December 6, but Toronto is already making headlines for the wrong reasons.

Watchful fans noticed a curious listing on the WNBA website under the “Players” section, listing all 13 current teams plus a 14th team—Toronto Tempo.

Fans quickly captured screenshots before the mysterious listing disappeared. Speculation ran wild. Is “Tempo” the official team name for Toronto, or just a placeholder? The debate continues, with many leaning towards it being a premature reveal.

WNBA fans underwhelmed by the new Canadian team’s name

The basketball community reacted strongly, with one person summing up the frustration, saying, “They spent five months deliberating on the team name only to settle on TEMPO.”

Initially, when the team was announced in May, chairman Larry Tanenbaum promised to involve fans in the naming process. Despite this build-up, the choice of “Tempo” disappointed many expecting something more creative.

Another comment humorously criticized the lack of impact in the name: “If you lose to the ‘Tempo,’ you might as well sell the team.”
While some hope “Tempo” is just temporary, others are not as optimistic. A comparison was drawn with the Golden State Valkyries, praising their strong name rooted in Norse mythology compared to the blandness of “Tempo.”

No online debate is complete without humor. One fan shared a thermometer image, jokingly suggesting it could be the team’s mascot, playing on the word “Tempo” resembling “temperature.”

Regardless of the final name, the Toronto team has sparked plenty of conversation. Fans eagerly await the official announcement as the internet continues its tradition of roasting, debating, and creating memes.