Toronto has been awarded a WNBA franchise that will start play in 2026, according to multiple reports, when it will become the league's first team outside of the United States.
The team will be owned by Kilmer Sports Inc., headed by Toronto billionaire Larry Tanenbaum. Tanenbaum is a minority owner and chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Maple Leafs and Raptors, among other teams.
The new Toronto club would be the 14th team in the WNBA. An expansion franchise in Golden State is set to join the league in 2025.