Vancouver games show Tempo’s Canada-wide reach

The Toronto Tempo WNBA team is bringing its presence to Vancouver this weekend, continuing its ambition to establish itself as Canada's team with games played from coast to coast. Team president Teresa Resch expressed excitement about returning to Vancouver, where the team previously announced its intention to play home games.

“

We were in the thick of getting the team going. And being able to see that game in person, knowing that neither those teams were representing Canada or any city in Canada or anything connected to the country, seeing that, it just got me so excited about what was possible,.

Resch noted the success of the team's inaugural season from a business perspective, with all home games in Toronto selling out. She also pointed to the significant attendance figures for games played in Montreal, including a record-setting crowd for a WNBA regular-season game, as indicators of the brand's growing recognition across the country. "It was pretty incredible," Resch said. "And it’s not just that people are there; people are engaged."

“

I’m just really excited to come out there. It’s been a long time coming. This is part of the initial plan of being Canada’s team, playing from coast to coast … So really excited to bring the team out there.

While the Tempo (10-25) has struggled on the court, heading into Vancouver on a 13-game losing skid and having been eliminated from playoff contention, the team's leadership emphasizes the positive reception and national connection being built. Resch, who has prior experience making a basketball team a national entity from her time with the Toronto Raptors, stated that representing all of Canada was a core part of the bid for the expansion team. "That was at the forefront, this is Canada’s team," she said.

“

It was pretty incredible. And it’s not just that people are there; people are engaged.