Toronto awarded WNBA expansion team in 2026

Kilmer Sports Inc., headed by billionaire Larry Tanenbaum, has been "granted an expansion franchise" with the WNBA that will call Toronto home and will begin play in 2026, according to sources. An official announcement is expected May 23 in Toronto, sources said. Tanenbaum originally pursued the expansion team through Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment -- where he sits as Chair -- but "was turned down" by other members of the board. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in April that Toronto was "among the cities being considered" as the 14th team. A source said the team would play at Coca-Cola Coliseum, the 8,000-seat arena where PWHL Toronto plays its home games. Kilmer Sports Inc. is a new arm of Tanenbaum's Kilmer Group, and it has hired former European soccer exec Ivan Gazidis to lead the new group (CBC.ca, 5/10).