Ryan Lin On Canada's D: 'It's Unreal; Any One Of Us Can Play With Anyone'
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Forbes
39 minutes ago
- Forbes
Inside The WNBA's First Canadian Team — And The Millennial Leaders Building It
The line to get into the Toronto Tempo's live fan event at the city's open-air marketplace, STACKT, wrapped around the block. Inside, the air buzzed with anticipation — local DJs kept the energy high, pop-up merch stations were mobbed, and every corner seemed to hold a fan snapping selfies in fresh burgundy-and-blue gear. It wasn't just a team unveiling; it was a statement that the WNBA's first Canadian franchise had arrived with the swagger of a city that knows basketball. For Teresa Resch, an executive helping shape the Tempo's future, the goal is to channel that launch-day energy into a nationwide following. 'We're Canada's team,' she tells me. 'From coast to coast, we want every basketball fan in this country to see themselves in us.' That ambition is about more than selling tickets. It's a play for brand loyalty, cultural connection, and the kind of global audience expansion that can redefine the WNBA's business model. And it's a move the league's partners are watching closely. Stephanie Marciano, who leads sports marketing for Ally, says international growth is an opportunity to grow the pie for everyone. The digital-first bank was named as one of the key sponsors of this year's WNBA All-Star Weekend and recently signed a multiyear deal to become the league's new official retail bank, among other partnership thrusts. 'The globalization of the game is a great next step,' she tells me. 'Even U.S.-based fans will tune in.' For Ally, which has staked its brand on a 50-50 media equity pledge between men's and women's sports, moments like Toronto's franchise launch are proof that the business of women's basketball is not just viable—it's ascendant. Toronto's inclusion in the WNBA marks the league's first step across borders — a milestone that expands its media footprint, opens doors to cross-border sponsorships, and attracts an entirely new demographic of fans. The move comes at a time when the WNBA is experiencing unprecedented momentum: record-breaking viewership, sold-out arenas, and corporate partners eager to tap into women's sports' growing cultural relevance. Resch says the Tempo is leaning into this moment by positioning itself as a national brand from day one. 'It's not just about Toronto,' she explains. 'We're building a team that reflects the diversity and passion of Canada. That means engaging with communities in Vancouver, Halifax, and everywhere in between.' Part of that strategy includes a talent pipeline that promotes from within. Resch emphasized the importance of elevating young millennial senior managers into director roles — a move she believes fosters innovation and ensures leadership reflects the team's ambitious goals. 'We're not just building a roster of athletes; we're building an organization that's prepared to grow with the league,' she says. The business returns are becoming increasingly clear. A 2024 Nielsen study found that women's sports sponsorships generate, on average, a 20% higher return on investment compared to men's sports due to higher engagement rates, brand loyalty, and less market saturation. In the WNBA's case, last season's Finals drew an average of 728,000 viewers per game — the most in over two decades — and social media engagement for league content has surged year over year. Marciano says Ally's internal data supports the trend. 'We've proven the business case for this work,' she says. 'You'll see the love from the fans and returns for your brand and business. That's a huge win for everyone involved.' Ainka Jess, founder of She's4Sports, a platform dedicated to amplifying women's voices in sports media, says Toronto's WNBA team has the potential to activate an entirely new generation of fans and professionals. 'Millennials in Canada have grown up in a more inclusive sports culture,' Jess says. 'The Tempo's arrival gives them another pathway — whether as athletes, executives, or creatives — to be part of the business of sports.' Since launching She's4Sports in 2016, Jess has worked with leagues, athletes, and brands to address the lack of coverage for women's sports, particularly for BIPOC voices. She believes the Tempo's positioning as 'Canada's team' could have ripple effects well beyond Toronto. 'It's not just a basketball story,' she adds. 'It's a workplace story, a representation story, an access story, and a business growth story.'That access, Jess notes, is also reshaping how younger audiences interact with the league. 'The WNBA has become the culture,' she says. 'Its players are trendsetters—they're authentic, they stand for inclusion, and they engage with fans in ways that feel personal. That's what draws younger millennials and Gen Z in. They're not just following the game; they're following the people.' She points to the Tempo's launch as a prime opportunity to extend that connection across Canada. 'Toronto is already a sports city, but the Tempo can be Canada's team,' she says. 'From Vancouver to Halifax, fans will travel, buy merch, and build traditions around women's basketball. That's good for the league, for the city, and for every millennial professional who wants to break into the business side of sports.' For the Tempo, the challenge now is sustaining the excitement beyond the launch. Resch points to long-term community engagement, youth basketball development, and consistent brand storytelling as critical pieces of the puzzle. 'Our goal is to be part of the Canadian sports conversation year-round, not just during the season,' she says. From Ally's perspective, the next few years will be about amplifying the WNBA's reach through stronger media partnerships, continued fan access initiatives, and encouraging other brands to join the space. 'We want to make it easier to be a women's sports fan,' Marciano says. 'That's about more access, more engagement opportunities, and bringing players closer to fans.' With the WNBA planting its flag in Toronto, the league isn't just breaking new geographic ground — it's proving that women's sports can command the same scale, investment, and cultural relevance as any major men's league. And for fans lining up outside 28 Bathurst Street, that future is already here.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Fast-Growing Backyard Games Pioneer CROSSNET Gets Acquired
CROSSNET, a trendsetter in backyard games, has been acquired by the Canadian outdoor living company Vivere, Ltd., for an undisclosed amount. 'Selling CROSSNET to Vivere marks an exciting new chapter for both our brand and our sport,' said Chris Meade, co-founder of CROSSNET. 'Vivere's reach, resources, and shared vision for the backyard space makes them the perfect partner to take CROSSNET to the next million players. We're incredibly proud of what we've built, the sport we've invented, and know Vivere will continue to make CROSSNET a household name for years to come.' Miami-based CROSSNET started out as a three-man business seven years ago, and was bootstrapped by founders and brothers Chris and Gregory Meade and their friend Mike Delpapa to $1 million in revenue with no employees before scaling up to an estimated $48 million in annual revenue. Brainstorming business ideas into the wee hours one night in 2017, they came up with the idea to combine volleyball with Four Square to create a four-way volleyball game. Chris's goal was to leave his job in sales for a food-delivery app behind. Tapping the cold-calling skills he honed at that job, Chris persuaded SCHEELS, a Midwestern sporting goods chain, to test the product in two stores. When CROSSNET sold out, the chain ordered it for 22 locations. The trio built it to $2.25 million in 2019, before hiring a single employee. Today, it is sold on Amazon and in major retailers such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Target and Walmart. The game got a boost during the pandemic, when more Americans were looking for backyard entertainment. CROSSNET also benefited from institutional sales to schools, that incorporated it into physical education programs. Chris estimates that 1 million people have now played it—a number that is likely to grow now that it has inroads into the vast Canadian market, where volleyball is already a popular sport. 'Adding CROSSNET to our lineup is about more than just acquiring a game,' said Jason Stoter, president of Vivere, based on the Toronto area. 'It's about continuing a story that started with three friends, a dream, and a net — and making sure that story reaches every backyard, beach, and park possible.' Vivere owns approximately 30 backyard games, including bestselling Ladder Golf, and has a presence in the U.S.., Europe and Australia, according to Gary Pepper, sales manager for Vivere. 'We are extremely pleased with the purchase and think we'll be able to bring the business to new heights,' he said. Chris has already started two new ventures. He cofounded a network for young entrepreneurs called The Founders Club with Aaron Spivak, who founded and exited the weighted blankets startup Hush Blankers. The application-only group, launched in 2023, has grown to more than 500 members, according to Chris He also co-founded a fast-growing fitness studio, BODY Hot Pilates, with his wife Lyndsey. Gregory is an owner in Vonu, which makes baby products such as a burping pillow, and Delpapa is an active real estate investor. Chris said he is looking forward to seeing Vivere bring CROSSNET to even more locations by tapping its vast retail network and expanding its impact further. 'It's not every day that a new sport is invented and takes off,' said Meade. 'It's a remarkable feeling that our game is having an impact and thousands of kids are going to school every day and playing it in their gym classes.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Detroit Red Wings make depth signing with veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic
The Detroit Red Wings added another defenseman to their depth, with a low-risk signing of a veteran. Travis Hamonic, a 34-year-old who shoots right, is in the books for one year at $1 million. Hamonic has 242 points in 900 NHL games, spread among the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and most recently, the Ottawa Senators. He's made his living as a defensive defenseman who blocks shots and serves in a shut-down role. Hamonic will be one more piece for coach Todd McLellan to fit into a crowded back-end lineup when the Wings head to training camp in mid-September in Traverse City. More: Detroit Red Wings announce dates for 2025 training camp: What to know for Traverse City Hamonic joins a corp that already features Moritz Seider, Justin Holl and Jacob Bernard-Docker (also a newcomer) down the right side, and left-shooters in Ben Chiarot, Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson and Erik Gustafsson. Hamonic could fit in on the third pairing, and help out killing penalties. Unlike in previous seasons, when the Wings began the season with three goaltenders on the 23-man roster, this year they have two (Cam Talbot and newcomer John Gibson) under contract. That could allow the Wings to carry eight defensemen and still have room for 13 forwards. That's all part of what will be sorted during the three-day camp in Traverse City, followed by the Red-White scrimmage in Grand Rapids on Sept. 21. They will then play an eight-game exhibition slate. This is McLellan's first camp with the Wings since being named coach on Dec. 26. Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@ Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her books: 'The Franchise: Detroit Red Wings, A Curated History of Hockeytown,' and 'On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,' and 'The Big 50: The Men and Moments that made the Detroit Red Wings' are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings sign veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic
