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New WNBA Franchise Makes Big Announcement on Friday
New WNBA Franchise Makes Big Announcement on Friday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
While the 2025 WNBA season is rolling full speed ahead, one franchise is already building excitement for its 2026 debut. The Toronto Tempo, awarded an expansion team in December 2024, will become the 14th franchise in WNBA history and the first based outside the United States. The team will play its home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
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In February, the Tempo named Monica Wright Rogers as their general manager. Now, they've made another major move to strengthen their front office.
Ben Pickman of The Athletic reported on Friday:
"Eli Horowitz, a longtime Los Angeles Sparks staffer and their current assistant GM, is taking a job at the Toronto Tempo as their AGM and SVP of basketball strategy."
Horowitz brings a wealth of experience, having spent seven seasons with the Sparks as assistant general manager and vice president. He will be Toronto's new assistant general manager and senior vice president of basketball strategy.
He'll work closely with Wright Rogers to oversee the team's salary cap management, basketball operations, analytics and scouting efforts.
Eli Horowitz (left), shown during his time as assistant general manager of the LA Sparks, was named the new assistant GM and senior vice president of basketball strategy for the Toronto Lee-Imagn Images
The team released a memo to announce Horowitz's hiring, and Wright Rogers shared her thoughts on bringing him aboard.
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'I'm thrilled to have Eli on board as we shape the Tempo into a winning WNBA franchise,' Rogers said. 'He brings impeccable credentials to our front office — elite scouting, advanced analytics, innovation around our cap strategy and a winning mindset.'
She added:
'Just as important, we share core values around culture and collaboration, and a vision to build something lasting. He's the ideal partner to shape a first-class franchise for our inaugural season and beyond.'
During his tenure in Los Angeles, Horowitz played a key role in bringing stars like Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson to the Sparks.
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As Toronto prepares for its inaugural season, it's clear the Tempo is focused on building a strong, forward-thinking foundation from day one.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
