The Golden State Valkyries will make their WNBA debut in 2025 as the league's latest expansion franchise. However, the WNBA has two new teams set to join the league in 2026 in Toronto and Portland. The Toronto Tempo made an intriguing move on Wednesday, as the team hired two-time WNBA champion Moncia Wright Rogers as the franchise's first general manager, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
Wright made her WNBA debut as a player in 2010 with the Minnesota Lynx. She would play in Minnesota until 2015 before joining the Seattle Storm for the 2016 campaign. 2016 would end up being her final season in the league as she dealt with injury concerns.
Overall, she averaged 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game during her career. She played in a total of 177 games in the league as well. Wright had a respectable career, but it would not be long until she returned to basketball in a different role.
Wright coached at Liberty and Virginia after her WNBA playing career came to an end. In 2023, Wright returned to the WNBA as an assistant general manager with the Phoenix Mercury. She was clearly on track to either become a head coach or a general manager at the WNBA level. Sure enough, Monica Wright Rogers has reportedly been hired by the Tempo as the team's new general manager.
Toronto Tempo preparing to make WNBA debut in 2026
The WNBA has made an effort to expand. In 2024, there were only 12 teams in the WNBA. Once the 2026 season begins, however, there will be 15 teams. Rumors of a 16th team have continued to swirl around the league as well. It seems as if a 16th team could be announced sooner rather than later.
The Tempo will become Canada's first team in the WNBA. Toronto already has plenty of basketball fans, especially since the Raptors play in the city. The WNBA has continued to see its popularity increase, so now is the perfect time to go all in on expansion.
Monica Wright Rogers will be fairly limited in what roster moves she can make early on, as the team will have to build its roster from the expansion draft. They could potentially add a star or two in free agency or via trade before the 2026 season, though.
Taking over general manager duties of an expansion franchise will be a challenge, but the Tempo believe in Wright.