When the WNBA announced its expansion into Canada, basketball fans from coast to coast erupted in excitement.
Toronto Tempo, Canada’s first WNBA franchise is not only a historic moment in history it is the start of a movement.
But before the world can tune in to the big games on TV a team needs to be built and President Teresa Resch is at the forefront of shaping the Toronto Tempo. Resch brings with her a legacy of leadership from the Toronto Raptors and a clear vision for how the team will not just play the game, but reshape it in Canada.
In an exclusive interview with the Brandon Gonez show she shares the challenges, triumphs, and vision behind bringing elite women’s basketball north of the border and what it means to create a legacy from the ground up.
Naming the Tempo
Choosing a name for Canada’s first WNBA team was no small task. With over 10,000 submissions pouring in from fans across the country, the team opted for a name that embodies rhythm, speed, and identity. “Tempo is such an instrumental part of the game of basketball, so that’s why I love it.,” Resch explained. Naming the team took the entire cities effort Resch said “If we would have named it, the name that was the most submitted, we would be called the Toronto Raptors”
Starting from Scratch
Launching a professional sports franchise from the ground up is no small task. Resch and her team are literally building the organization brick by brick—setting up financial systems, hiring staff, and navigating unfamiliar terrain like Canadian-specific regulations and broadcasting rights. The organization has already grown to 14 employees, with plans to reach 45 to 50 full-time hires before the first game. Teresa told Brandon “It’s just a lot of heavy lifting, and you spend a lot of time on things that you kind of take for granted when you’re in other roles”
Scouting Talent and Building a Roster
While names like Kia Nurse and other Canadian stars come to mind, Resch diplomatically steered clear of naming specific athletes to avoid violating league rules ahead of the expansion draft. Still, she emphasized the importance of scouting Canadian talent and building a team that reflects the country’s diversity and spirit.
With general manager Monica Rogers now on board, and owners like Serena Williams and Lilly Singh the organization is working to hire coaching staff and scout potential players. They’re also keeping a close eye on the current WNBA season to better understand player availability and potential.
A Legacy to be built
More than just a basketball team, Teresa Resch and the Tempo team have big dreams for what legacy they will create in Toronto and the WNBA league, Resch sees the team’s impact stretching far beyond the court—creating job opportunities, sparking youth interest in sports, and elevating women in leadership roles.
Reflecting on her own journey, Resch credited Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri for helping shape her leadership style. She recalled heartfelt moments when she worked for the NBA team The Toronto Raptors, like wearing a red tuxedo to celebrate the Raptors’ 2019 championship and parade which she also wore in this sit down interview with the Brandon Gonez Show!
With jerseys soon to be finalized, a roster to build, and a nation to rally, Resch and the Toronto Tempo are laying the foundation for something bigger than basketball.
Be sure to check out the full interview on YouTube.
