MARCH 20, 2025
Top image: Photo courtesy of the Toronto Tempo
For nearly three decades, Serena Williams dominated the tennis world with a mix of precision, power, and an unmistakable sense of style. Now, the 23-time Grand Slam champion is making moves off the court. Williams has joined the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, the WNBA’s first Canadian franchise, set to debut in 2026.
Serena Williams joins a group led by Canadian businessman Larry Tanenbaum, whose holding company, Kilmer Sports Ventures, also owns a 25% stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), the parent company of the Toronto Raptors.
“I am thrilled to announce my ownership role in the first Canadian WNBA team, the Toronto Tempo. This moment is not just about basketball; it is about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes — I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity. I am excited to partner with Larry and all of Canada in creating this new WNBA franchise and legacy.”
SERENA WILLIAMS – SOURCE: TORONTO TEMPO
Williams is well-versed in sports ownership. As reported by The Athletic, she holds a stake in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, is a founding investor of the NWSL’s Angel City FC, and is also a part-owner of the Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC) – a team in the TGL (TMRW Golf League) founded by Tiger Woods and Rory Mcllroy.
Her latest venture reflects a strategic investment, but also underscores her commitment to empowering women and promoting women’s sports. The WNBA is experiencing unprecedented growth, marked by significant increases in sponsorship, media engagement, and viewership (54 million unique viewers across major networks in 2024). As CNN noted, Serena Williams also has a history of championing “traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs – 78% of the startups in which Serena Ventures had invested were started by women and people of color.“
“Serena is a champion. She’s the greatest athlete of all time, and her impact on this team and this country is going to be incredible. She’s set the bar for women in sport, business and the world – and her commitment to using that success to create opportunities for other women is inspiring – we’re thrilled to be marking the lead-up to International Women’s Day with this announcement.”
TERESA RESCH – PRESIDENT @ Toronto tempo – SOURCE: TORONTO TEMPO
In December 2024, the Toronto Tempo unveiled their logo: a light blue, italicized “T” set within a black circle, with six lines extending from the letter’s left side. These lines symbolize the five players on the court and the fans.
In February 2025, the Toronto Tempo appointed Monica Wright Rogers as their first General Manager. Wright Rogers, a two-time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx, brings a wealth of experience from her seven-season playing career and her recent role as Assistant General Manager for the Phoenix Mercury. Also part of the Tempo leadership group is president Teresa Resch, who joined the franchise after leaving her role as Vice-President of Basketball Operations and Player Development for the Toronto Raptors in March 2024.
As reported by CBC, Teresa Resch mentioned that “the team went through more than 10,000 submissions before coming to a decision“. Additional owners will be announced throughout the year.
Teresa Resch also told CBC: “I think the opportunity is great here in Toronto. We, the Tempo, have something very exciting going forward. Being the first international team, Serena is a very global individual. She travels often as well as having the entire country [in the Tempo market]. So she thought it was a great business opportunity.”
The Tempo will start their 2026 season at Toronto’s Coca-Cola Coliseum, with additional regular-season games scheduled in Montreal and Vancouver.
