The Women’s National Basketball Association launched in 1997 with eight teams. In 2026, the WNBA expands from 13 to 15 teams. That includes the first franchise outside the USA with the Toronto Tempo who shoot for buckets along with expansion-cousin Portland. And the Tempo excitement right across Canada is mounting big time! Building the first-ever Tempo lineup is under the guidance of general manager Monica Wright Rogers. The all-time leading hoops scorer – men and women – for the University of Virginia Cavaliers and a member of the Cavaliers Hall of Fame, guard Wright Rogers compiled 2,540 points from 2006-10. The Cavs all-time points record on the men’s side (2,516) belongs to Bryant Stith (1988-92). Selected No. 2 in the 2010 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx, Wright Rogers made the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2010. In 2011 and 2013, she helped the Lynx snare WNBA titles. Her final WNBA season came with the Seattle Storm (2016). She became an assistant coach in the college ranks at Liberty (2018-19) and Virginia (2019-21). Then it was on to the NBA league office where she served as the Elite Basketball Women’s Operations Lead, overseeing global grassroots women’s initiatives. Wright Rogers became assistant general manager of the Phoenix Mercury in January 2023. Owned and operated by Kilmer Sports Group (chaired by Larry Tanenbaum), the Tempo management team is spearheaded by president Teresa Resch – and the just-announced GM Monica Wright Rogers. “I cannot wait to cheer for our team and watch them bring home a WNBA championship,” said Toronto mayor Olivia Chow when the city’s WNBA franchise was officially awarded on May 23, 2024. Neither can we!