Toronto Turns Up the Tempo: President Teresa Resch on Building a WNBA Legacy
- Theresa Balocating
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Written by Theresa Balocating
With the countdown underway, a wave of excitement is sweeping through Toronto—and across Canada. The city’s first-ever WNBA team is officially on the way. While the roster and head coach are still under wraps, the foundation for something truly game-changing is already taking shape.
Set to make its WNBA debut in 2026, the Toronto Tempo is more than just a new team – it’s a bold new chapter for women’s sports in Canada. And at the center of it all? President Teresa Resch, is a powerhouse leader with extensive basketball experience and a vision for what the franchise can become.
“We really want to be able to create something a little bit different up here in Canada,” Resch says.
That difference starts with intention. Before the Tempo’s first tip-off – before the jerseys, the chants, and the crowd – there has been a serious amount of groundwork happening behind the scenes. Resch, formerly VP of Basketball Operations for the Toronto Raptors, knows that building a franchise from scratch is no small feat – but it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do things right.
Her journey into sports leadership didn’t follow the typical path. It started in college, where the realization hit: you don't need to be an athlete or coach to shape the game.
“Ultimately, it was the recognition that there was opportunity in sport beyond playing and coaching that really caught my attention,” she explains.
From various volunteer gigs to internships, Resch climbed the ranks, driven by a love for the game and a passion for progress.
Now, she's leading the Tempo’s charge with a senior executive team of visionaries: Lisa Ferkul as the Chief Revenue Officer, Whitney Bell as Chief Marketing Officer, Patrick Lee as Chief Financial Officer, and Monica Rogers, former WNBA champion who stepped into the GM role earlier this year.
As the franchise continues to take shape, the front office is steadily growing—with around 13 team members currently in place and more expected to join ahead of the team’s inaugural tip-off in the 2026 season.
“All we’re thinking about is how to make the Tempo better. There’s no distractions and [they are] very driven, passionate people.”
With Sephora Canada signed on board as a founding partner and Serena Williams joining the team as a part-owner, this franchise isn't just showing up, it is stepping in with purpose and power.
Finding the Tempo
What's in a name? For this franchise, everything.
The name “Tempo” emerged from an open call that drew over 1,000 submissions. Rather than simply picking a name and slapping a logo, the team made it a collaborative, creative process building an entire universe around the identity.
Experts, creatives, and community voices alike were brought in to contribute to bringing this vision for the Tempo to life.
“Just like the name, the logo, and the colors are going to live on forever, so is the story of how we got there, and we wanted to make sure that story of how it was created was a collective of people who really cared, and I think we’ve accomplished that.”
This vision was immersive: “What would a game experience look like?”, “What would a mascot look like?” and “What would people chant?” Resch and her team focused on laying the groundwork for a sports culture that is distinctly Canadian and fiercely original.
“It provides an opportunity to figure out a solution that is ultimately going to lead us down a path that is going to be unique, and I think that is going to make us stand out,” said Resch
A Whole Country Behind Them
Toronto isn't just getting a team- it’s becoming a beacon for something bigger. As the WBNA’s first international franchise, the Tempo carries the hopes of an entire nation.
“We have an incredible opportunity to have an entire country behind us. No other team [in the WNBA] has had that opportunity from the very start. So we are trying to optimize that.”
And they’re doing so during a time when women's sports are thriving. The 2024 WBNA season shattered records: more viewership, more national broadcasts, and unprecedented levels of hype.
This season, Disney networks will air 26 games—including a record-breaking 13 regular season matchups on ABC—and up to 29 postseason matchups on ESPN.
Building a Legacy
The launch of Toronto’s WNBA franchise marks more than just the arrival of a new team – it is the beginning of a growing community, one built on progress, possibility, and representation.
Resch explains that in a league exclusively made up of women, leadership needs to reflect that reality. “It’s important that there’s people leading these teams and these organizations that have that perspective. [It is just as important] that we are surrounded by allies who are supportive and also bring a different lens."
For women in sports and those looking to break through, Resch hopes that eventually, the conversation will not just be about “firsts” but about impact. It’s about building a legacy that lasts. One where little girls grow up seeing their dreams on the court, in the boardroom, and in the stands.
“In the future, I hope that there isn’t this delineation between men’s and women’s [sports]. It should just be, you’re working in sports [and] you’re elevating the game for whoever’s a fan.”
Women’s sports aren’t a trend – they’re a movement. And the Tempo is setting the pace.
So whether you’re a longtime fan, new to the game, or just excited to see history in the making, Resch has one message:
“Use your voice, you can use it in every way. Spread the word. Become a fan. Get more fans. Don’t think that the impact you have doesn’t count.”
Because when the Tempo finally hits the court, it won't just be a team – it’ll be the heartbeat of a new era.
Edited by Madeleine Meneguzzi
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