'Opportunity of a lifetime': New GM Wright Rogers ready to take charge of WNBA's Toronto Tempo
Monica Wright Rogers has merely put 10 toes on the ground in Toronto to begin her role as general manager of the WNBA's expansion Tempo, but she can already feel the support of the city behind her.
Her hiring solidifies her as the 12th member of Canada's first-ever and only WNBA team franchise.
"Once I stepped foot in this city — despite the snow — that excitement has exponentially increased in just feeling the appetite and excitement from fans and everyone in the sports world here, we have no shortage of support," Wright Rogers said in an interview with CBC Sports.
Wright Rogers, 36, arrives on the Canadian basketball scene with an impressive resume behind her: seven seasons as a point guard in the WNBA, two championship titles with the Minnesota Lynx, and in 2023, she became assistant general manager for the Phoenix Mercury.
Now, she hits the ground running with the Tempo, with the tasks lying immediately ahead of her include hiring a head coach and securing a roster of players for the first season in 2026.
While the San Antonio, Texas native didn't share details on any potential head-coaching candidates, she "feels good about where things are at," more than a year out from the first tip-off.
"There's a lot of unknown with the future of this league, the upcoming CBA [Collective Bargaining Agreement], the unprecedented amount of free agents and just a lot of talent coming into this league from international ranks, the NCAA ranks and beyond," Wright Rogers said.
Just ahead of the 2026 season, 21 league all stars will be free agents.
This includes Canada's Kia Nurse, back-to-back WNBA champion Kelsey Plum, and Las Vegas Ace star A'Ja Wilson, who was named tournament MVP at the Paris 2024 Olympics for her contributions to Team USA's gold medal.
"I'm really excited to sign our first player," Wright Rogers said. "In terms of our timeline, we've got time to pull the best brains together and strategize about how we want to approach this unprecedented time in the WNBA and women's sports as a whole."
WATCH | Wright Rogers talks goals for 2026 season:
Monica Wright Rogers relishes challenge of building Toronto's WNBA 1st-ever franchise
9 minutes ago
Duration 0:41
Unparalleled WNBA success
In the 2024 season, the success of the WNBA was unparalleled, clocking the most-ever watched regular-season games across ESPN platforms, the highest total attendance of games in 22 years, and record number sales in WNBA merchandise sales.
The launch of Canada's first WNBA team will be another milestone for basketball in Canada in 2026, but to Wright Rogers, the WNBA has always deserved all the flowers.
"I've been in it so long that I've always just loved it. The same enthusiasm everyone has, I've had it this entire time, my whole life," she said. "The WNBA has always had talent and I think we're at a point in time where we see it taking strides, and we see the investment… I'm definitely on board and very excited about this ride."
As for her plans with Tempo? Simply to win.
With two chips under her belt, having won championship titles with the Minnesota Lynx in 2011 and 2013, Wright Rogers said she knows what it takes to build a winning culture.
"I was very early on with the Lynx in their dynasty in the early stages and so being a part of the build of a championship culture, a championship team… I pull from that every day," she said. "I'm hoping to make sure that that is ingrained into the culture of this franchise as well."
And as Wright Rogers continues to acclimate to Toronto (she says her family has been loving the vast food scene so far), she's excited to get to work and build this franchise from the ground up.
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime… to lay the foundation for great culture and one that is very thoughtful and reflective of not just Toronto, but Canada's basketball, women's basketball culture."
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Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. Lions: Aiming high with Canadian supply in the season opener
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Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. McInnis will do his part to entertain when the ball is snapped. And that could also be quite the show after a career season in 2024. McInnis led all receivers last campaign in league yardage with 1,469, and was the first Canadian since Andy Fantuz in 2010 to lead that category. He was also second with 92 receptions and third in touchdown grabs with seven. H is yards total was second highest by a Canadian member of the Lions after Matt Clark (1,530 yards), and the eighth-best for a Canadian all-time. Check out our Top 10 CFL players heading into the 2025 season! 🇨🇦🏈 Do you agree with our list? 🤔 FULL TOP 50 LIST | The 28-year-old Pierrefonds, Que., native is an imposing target for quarterback Nathan Rourke with a 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame and plenty of zip and zag to leave defensive backs in his wake, or use his vertical skills to out-contest any defender. He did that in practice Wednesday and it bodes well as a weapon. 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The Province
2 hours ago
- The Province
'I can't even believe it's real': Vancouver's Holly Ward a rising star for Canada, NSL
Ward became the first Northern Super League player to score for the national squad as the Canadian women downed Haiti 3-1 in a friendly. Published Jun 05, 2025 • Last updated 19 minutes ago • 4 minute read Vancouver Rise's Holly Ward (19) is tripped by Calgary Wild FC's Meikayla Moore (5) drawing a penalty shot during the first half of an NSL match in Vancouver on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS / THE CANADIAN PRESS There have been a lot of firsts for Holly Ward this year — her first game as a professional soccer player, her first call up to Canada's senior women's team. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors And on Tuesday, Ward became the first Northern Super League player to score for the national squad as the Canadian women downed Haiti 3-1 in a friendly. Amid the whirlwind of monumental memories, the 21-year-old Vancouver Rise forward is trying to take life day by day. 'There have been so many big moments that have been happening for me,' she said. 'I set big goals for myself, but this is also my first year professionally and so I also want to develop a lot and get better. 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Canada's Holly Ward (28) tries to get by Haiti's Amandine Pierre-Louis (14) during first half international friendly soccer action in Montreal, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Photo by Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press As more and more players signed on with NSL clubs, Ward found herself wanting to join, too. 'I was realizing that just wasn't something I wanted to miss,' she said. 'All the player signings, the staff that was there, the facilities that they have, just being a part of this new history making league, I was realizing, 'Oh, I need to be a part of this.'' In an airport somewhere between Louisville and Vancouver, Ward signed her first professional contract, inking a deal with her hometown team, the Rise. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Just a few months later, she was on the field for the NSL's first ever game, with countless friends and family members in the stands at B.C. Place. 'I was really nervous,' Ward said. 'I was like 'Oh my gosh, this is a lot of people, this means a lot to everyone, it means a lot to me. There's a lot riding on it.' 'But I think I kind of took it in a good way. I was like, 'This is such an amazing moment to be a part of and I'm just going to try and inspire people.'' In the 21st minute, Ward sprinted in with the ball and was cut down by Calgary Wild defender Meikayla Moore inside the area. Referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin quickly signalled for a penalty kick. Canadian midfielder Quinn stepped up and sent a right-footed shot flying into the net for the first goal in NSL history. The Rise blanked the Wild 1-0. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ward has continued to impress this season and earned her first call up to Canada's senior squad last month. She was sitting on the Rise bus when she learned the news. 'I feel like my brain just didn't understand it at first, because it's still so crazy for me,' she said of the moment. 'Any opportunity that I get to even train with the national team is a huge opportunity. I can't even believe it's real.' Calgary Wild FC's Grace Stordy, left, and Vancouver Rise's Holly Ward, right, vie for the ball during the first half of an NSL match in Vancouver on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Being with the national team was 'a blur,' Ward said. She saw action in friendlies against Haiti in both Winnipeg and Montreal, and scored in Canada's 3-1 win on Tuesday. Asked to describe the goal after the game, Ward had yet another pinch-me moment when she realized who assisted on the strike. 'I was thinking 'This is so crazy, that Jessie Fleming just assisted me to score a goal when I've watched her since I was so young,'' she said. 'So that was a really cool moment.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Being part of the NSL has been surreal for Ward, who now plays alongside — and against — players she grew up idolizing. And each one is pushing toward a common goal. 'Every single person is working hard to make the team better and make the league better,' she said. Ward and the Rise (3-2-2) will return from the international break Saturday when they visit the Roses (3-2-2) in Montreal, and when she gets back on the field, she'll be looking to mark yet another milestone — her first NSL goal. She has two assists and six shots across seven games this season, but is still looking to find the back of the net. When she does, Ward imagines the feeling will be similar to what she experienced this week when she scored for Canada. 'Every person that scores is making history. It's the first year for the league. So I'll be excited,' she said. 'I also hope that whenever I score, it's helpful to my team in some way.' Read More
Vancouver Sun
3 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
'I can't even believe it's real': Vancouver's Holly Ward a rising star for Canada, NSL
There have been a lot of firsts for Holly Ward this year — her first game as a professional soccer player, her first call up to Canada's senior women's team. And on Tuesday, Ward became the first Northern Super League player to score for the national squad as the Canadian women downed Haiti 3-1 in a friendly. Amid the whirlwind of monumental memories, the 21-year-old Vancouver Rise forward is trying to take life day by day. 'There have been so many big moments that have been happening for me,' she said. 'I set big goals for myself, but this is also my first year professionally and so I also want to develop a lot and get better. I think I'm doing that with the Rise, I'm doing that … wherever I am. I just want to become the best player I can be this year.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The big moments have come thick and fast for Ward. Her year started in Kentucky, where she joined National Women's Soccer League side Racing Louisville for pre-season training. While there, Ward realized there was something exciting brewing back in her hometown of Vancouver — the creation of the NSL, Canada's first professional women's soccer league. Growing up, playing at home wasn't an option. 'My dreams were always to play in the NWSL or play in Europe. And those are still part of my dreams,' she said. 'But I didn't really think (a Canadian league) was going to be an option for me.' As more and more players signed on with NSL clubs, Ward found herself wanting to join, too. 'I was realizing that just wasn't something I wanted to miss,' she said. 'All the player signings, the staff that was there, the facilities that they have, just being a part of this new history making league, I was realizing, 'Oh, I need to be a part of this.'' In an airport somewhere between Louisville and Vancouver, Ward signed her first professional contract, inking a deal with her hometown team, the Rise. Just a few months later, she was on the field for the NSL's first ever game, with countless friends and family members in the stands at B.C. Place. 'I was really nervous,' Ward said. 'I was like 'Oh my gosh, this is a lot of people, this means a lot to everyone, it means a lot to me. There's a lot riding on it.' 'But I think I kind of took it in a good way. I was like, 'This is such an amazing moment to be a part of and I'm just going to try and inspire people.'' In the 21st minute, Ward sprinted in with the ball and was cut down by Calgary Wild defender Meikayla Moore inside the area. Referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin quickly signalled for a penalty kick. Canadian midfielder Quinn stepped up and sent a right-footed shot flying into the net for the first goal in NSL history. The Rise blanked the Wild 1-0. Ward has continued to impress this season and earned her first call up to Canada's senior squad last month. She was sitting on the Rise bus when she learned the news. 'I feel like my brain just didn't understand it at first, because it's still so crazy for me,' she said of the moment. 'Any opportunity that I get to even train with the national team is a huge opportunity. I can't even believe it's real.' Being with the national team was 'a blur,' Ward said. She saw action in friendlies against Haiti in both Winnipeg and Montreal, and scored in Canada's 3-1 win on Tuesday. Asked to describe the goal after the game, Ward had yet another pinch-me moment when she realized who assisted on the strike. 'I was thinking 'This is so crazy, that Jessie Fleming just assisted me to score a goal when I've watched her since I was so young,'' she said. 'So that was a really cool moment.' Being part of the NSL has been surreal for Ward, who now plays alongside — and against — players she grew up idolizing. And each one is pushing toward a common goal. 'Every single person is working hard to make the team better and make the league better,' she said. Ward and the Rise (3-2-2) will return from the international break Saturday when they visit the Roses (3-2-2) in Montreal, and when she gets back on the field, she'll be looking to mark yet another milestone — her first NSL goal. She has two assists and six shots across seven games this season, but is still looking to find the back of the net. When she does, Ward imagines the feeling will be similar to what she experienced this week when she scored for Canada. 'Every person that scores is making history. It's the first year for the league. So I'll be excited,' she said. 'I also hope that whenever I score, it's helpful to my team in some way.'
