WNBA Toronto team president Teresa Resch poses for a portrait during a news conference announcing the city’s WNBA franchise in Toronto on Thursday, May 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
WNBA Toronto team president Teresa Resch poses for a portrait during a news conference announcing the city’s WNBA franchise in Toronto on Thursday, May 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
TORONTO (AP) — Toronto’s new WNBA team has issued a “call for inspiration” to its fans for suggestions on a team name, colors and identity.
“We don’t just want to be WNBA Toronto,” team president Teresa Resch told The Canadian Press. “We want to have a name and a logo and a colourway that means something to people, that people can have pride in. So we look forward to getting to that sooner rather than later.”
The idea of fans helping pick a name has been a trendy way for new professional sports teams to engage with their communities. The NHL’s Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Seattle expansions have all had fans help with naming, so too did the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries.
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“We don’t want to limit people,” Resch said. “Instead of just asking for a name, we want people to really share with us what this team is going to mean to them, what inspired them — any sort of inspiration that moves them.
“And we hope to hear from all of Canada and really take all that information and create a name and a full brand identity, from a collective and not just a name or two here and there.”
A group of designers and advisers will review the contributions to develop a shortlist of options. The final name will be chosen by team and league leadership by the end of the year.
Fans can provide their input via NameYourTeam.ca or by texting WNBA to 1-833-662-3664 through Aug. 28.
Resch said the team will be transparent throughout the process, sharing its progress via its website, social media and podcasts.
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“We want people to know what we’re doing,” she said. “Don’t just submit your name or your favourite colour and then walk away. Stay with us. I think we have a great story to tell.”
Toronto was awarded a WNBA team in May, becoming the league’s first team outside the U.S. The new franchise, which will be owned and operated by Kilmer Sports Ventures, is slated to begin play in the 2026 season as the league’s 14th franchise. The expansion Valkyries are set to start play next year.
The Toronto team will primarily play out of the 8,700-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum, home to the AHL Marlies, with the 19,800-seat Scotiabank Arena also an option. But Kilmer Chairman Larry Tanenbaum has said the team will play home games elsewhere in Canada to help showcase the WNBA and help grow women’s basketball.
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