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Ownership group steps forward in Toronto WNBA bid

By Erica Ayala

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 31: Canada stands for the national anthem against France during a practice on July 31, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 31: Canada stands for the national anthem against France during a practice on July 31, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Are the stars aligned to bring the WNBA to Canada?

The WNBA to Canada?

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Why not, say entrepreneurs Daniel Escott and Max Abrahams. For some time, rumors have circulated that the WNBA might be headed north of the border to Canada. In an interview with The Gist, Daniel Escott and Max Abrahams announced their intentions to bring the WNBA to the Toronto or GTA (Greater Toronto Area) by the 2020 season.

Escott and Abrahams are both partners at the Toronto-based New Media Group, billed as one of Canada’s fastest growing advertising agencies based in Toronto. Today, the men announced their next ambitious business venture, bringing the WNBA to Canada.

“If we don’t do this (bid for a WNBA Toronto team) now, we’re going to hear about it a year from now. So let’s do it,” Abrahams told The Gist. The plan has been in place for over a year.

“We actually started working on developing our bid early April. At that point we were just hoping the Raptors would win the Eastern Conference let alone win the championship. At that time, the Raptors winning a championship was a pipe dream and so was this WNBA bid,” added Escott.

“But, the stars have seemed to aligned here. We’ve made so much progress in the last couple of months. Frankly, I don’t think this progress could be done at any other point in time, in any other market, in any other way.”

There are a handful of Canadians that occupy the 144 WNBA roster spots across 12 active franchises. Natalie Achonwa with the Indiana Fever, and Liberty teammates Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, and Kia Nurse all wore the Maple Leaf in the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2018 World Championships. Former WNBA players Kayla Alexander and Ruth Hamblin have also spent time in the Canada Basketball system.

In response to several questions about Toronto as a prospective WNBA market, WNBA COO Christy Hedgpeth said, “Toronto is a terrific market and we appreciate the interest in the WNBA. However, the league’s main focus right now is the overall health and competitiveness of our existing 12 teams.”

Basketball Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment by High Post Hoops.

The initial idea to bid for a WNBA team was inspired by Abrahams’ high school friend and Canadian national team players Sami Hill.

“Two of her former teammates had just been drafted to the WNBA, one being Ontario-native Bridge Carleton. After a quick back and forth with Sami it hit me that this needs to be done, and I
could either read about it in 2 years or make it happen immediately for our city and
country,” said Abrahams in the WNBA Toronto press release.

Carleton was drafted to the Connecticut Sun. In recent years, there has been lots of conversation about how difficult it is to crack a WNBA roster. Most recently, NCAA Player of the Year Megan Gustafson rejoined the Dallas Wings after being cut from the final roster.

The discontent of Iowa fans might be a joke now, but Gustafson missing out on a spot is the latest example of how elite the 12-team WNBA truly is. An additional team would mean 12 more spots for young, up-and-coming talent.

This time, it worked out. Next time, the league could miss a chance to keep a top-level talent and engage a fan base.

As of now, no official bid has been submitted to the WNBA, but Abrahams and Escott are expected to do so this summer. The WNBA Toronto group is not affiliated with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), the owners and operators of the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the ScotiaBank Arena.

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