Latest news with #fanevent
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- 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.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
J-pop star Kenshin Kamimura fined in Hong Kong for indecent assault on interpreter
HONG KONG, August 13 — J-pop star Kenshin Kamimura was found guilty by a Hong Kong court today of the indecent assault in March of a woman who served as his interpreter during a fan event. Kamimura, 26, was previously a member of the six-member boy group One N' Only. He pleaded not guilty in April and chose not to testify during the trial in July. Magistrate Peter Yu said that Kamimura's behaviour showed obvious disrespect towards women, noting that his touches suggested a sexual undertone. 'Such behaviour should be condemned,' Yu said, fining him HK$15,000 (RM8,040) after his lawyer in mitigation urged a financial penalty rather than jail. On hearing the sentence, Kamimura hugged his court translator, while a handful of fans wept in the public gallery. Dozens more waited outside after the hearing ended as Kamimura left court without saying anything. The victim, identified only as X, testified in July that Kamimura and actor Junsei Motojima hired her as an interpreter to translate during a fan meeting in Hong Kong on March 1. The group then attended a celebratory dinner at a restaurant in the city's Mong Kok district. She told the court Kamimura moved to sit beside her during a toasting session and started repeatedly brushing and patting her thigh before suggesting they visit the bathroom together. He asked both in Chinese and Japanese if she knew what he meant, she added. X said she declined, telling him, 'If you want to go, you can go by yourself.' She said she then moved away to get some tea, but Kamimura blocked her path and again asked her to go outside. She told the court she refused. After X returned to her seat, Kamimura also came back and sat beside her. He apologised and said, 'Forget what just happened,' she recalled in her testimony. The singer also asked her about her relationship status and whether she planned to marry her boyfriend, she said. Kamimura then brushed her inner thigh again with the back of his right hand, X told the court. She shrank away, but he repeated the action about two to three times. Kamimura's lawyer said in mitigation that his client did not intend to coerce or threaten and that alcohol might have affected his judgment. The magistrate said that Kamimura had paid a huge price for the incident, saying he was immediately fired by his company and forced to leave the band. — Reuters
Reuters
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
J-pop idol Kenshin Kamimura found guilty of indecent assault in Hong Kong
HONG KONG, August 13 (Reuters) - J-pop star Kenshin Kamimura was found guilty by a Hong Kong court on Wednesday of the indecent assault in March of a woman who served as his interpreter during a fan event. Kamimura, 26, was previously a member of the six-member boy group One N' Only. He pleaded not guilty in April and chose not to testify during the trial in July. Magistrate Peter Yu said that Kamimura's behaviour showed obvious disrespect towards women, noting that his touches suggested a sexual undertone. "Such behaviour should be condemned," Yu said, fining him HK$15,000 ($1,923) after his lawyer in mitigation urged a financial penalty rather than jail. On hearing the sentence, Kamimura hugged his court translator, while a handful of fans wept in the public gallery. Dozens more waited outside after the hearing ended as Kamimura left court without saying anything. The victim, identified only as X, testified in July that Kamimura and actor Junsei Motojima hired her as an interpreter to translate during a fan meeting in Hong Kong on March 1. The group then attended a celebratory dinner at a restaurant in the city's Mong Kok district. She told the court Kamimura moved to sit beside her during a toasting session and started repeatedly brushing and patting her thigh before suggesting they visit the bathroom together. He asked both in Chinese and Japanese if she knew what he meant, she added. X said she declined, telling him, "If you want to go, you can go by yourself." She said she then moved away to get some tea, but Kamimura blocked her path and again asked her to go outside. She told the court she refused. After X returned to her seat, Kamimura also came back and sat beside her. He apologised and said, "Forget what just happened," she recalled in her testimony. The singer also asked her about her relationship status and whether she planned to marry her boyfriend, she said. Kamimura then brushed her inner thigh again with the back of his right hand, X told the court. She shrank away, but he repeated the action about two to three times. Kamimura's lawyer said in mitigation that his client did not intend to coerce or threaten and that alcohol might have affected his judgment. The magistrate said that Kamimura had paid a huge price for the incident, saying he was immediately fired by his company and forced to leave the band.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Club Attempts Record for 'World's Largest Tamagotchi Wedding' as More Than 100 Digital Pets Wed in Ceremony
The Toronto Tamagotchi Club aimed to "make history" with its latest meet-up, and is submitting the results to Guinness World RecordsNEED TO KNOW A club in Toronto, devoted to the appreciation of Tamagotchis, attempted to set a world record for Tamagotchi marriages over the weekend The Toronto Tamagotchi Club announced the event a month before, and more than 100 Tamagotchis ended up getting married in one sitting on Sunday, Aug. 10 'Growing up into an adult, where this community has kind of become more niche, it's been harder to find people who have them," one attendee said of such fan eventsI now pronounce you... Tamagotchi and Tamagotchi! Dozens of Tamagotchi fans and collectors met up in Toronto on Sunday, Aug. 10, to witness and take part in what was touted as the "World's Largest Tamagotchi Wedding" — where more than 100 digital pets tied the knot. Toronto Tamagotchi Club first announced the mass digital pet wedding last month, revealing on Instagram that its members were angling for a Guinness World Record. While it's not yet clear if the strong showing of digital love did in fact break any records — Guinness did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for confirmation on Monday, Aug. 11 — the wedding event drew an impressive 180 people to the Cecil Community Centre in Toronto, according to Toronto Today. "What is a Tamagotchi wedding? Imagine a mass marriage, Tama style," the club wrote on Instagram. "Tama characters can get married to other devices in-game. Let's celebrate love and friendship in our community, and find your Tamagotchi character a mate IRL! Marry your Tamagotchi and make history, or come party to celebrate gotchi luv!" According to the Tamagotchi Wiki, while the toys were first made available in 1996, iterations of the digital pets introduced since 2004 have the ability to get hitched. There are multiple ways for Tamagotchis to tie the knot, including through interlocking two devices. Twoey Gray, the club's founder, told Toronto Today that the goal of Sunday's event was to make a 'mark on history," with no preexisting records on the books for Tamagotchi nuptials. Gray confirmed to the outlet that more than 100 digital pets got married during the ceremony, which kicked off around 1 p.m. local time. While the club still has to submit to Guinness World Records, the effort was certainly there. Organizers set up cards around the venue to direct Tamagotchi owners to those with a similar-model digital pet, making it easier to find a perfect match, according to Toronto Today. When that happens, the characters appear on each other's screens with confetti and hearts, prompting a new digital pet to be hatched from an egg. 'When I was 8, you'd be on the playground and there would be other kids that had them and you could match them together. But growing up into an adult, where this community has kind of become more niche, it's been harder to find people who have them," attendee Holden Levack told Toronto Today of connecting with other Tamagotchi fans. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Twoey first launched the group in 2022, telling Toronto Today that there's "something very equalizing about this game." Fellow Tamagotchi lovers seem to agree, as photos shared by the club on Sunday showed people packed into the venue, posing with pets and signing wedding cards. Some fans even brought giant congratulatory signage, wore wedding dresses of their own, and documented the fireworks that went down when their digital pets sealed their unions. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Jaws' star Richard Dreyfuss forced to skip anticipated fan event due to severe diagnosis
Richard Dreyfuss has opted out of a fan event due to a severe case of bronchitis. On Friday, the "Jaws" star, 77, took to social media to share a message with his fans ahead of SharkCon in Tampa, Florida and express his disappointment over the diagnosis. 'Hello fellow cons," Dreyfuss said in a video posted to SharkCon's Instagram account. "I am very, very sorry to tell you that I've been diagnosed with, viral, er…What is it?" "Bronchitis," Dreyfuss' wife, Svetlana Erokhin, answered off-camera. "I've been told by my doctors I cannot fly and I would have to fly five hours to get there. I'm terribly sorry because I had planned to be there, and I had been looking forward to it, but I am unable to do so. I don't want to get anyone else sick, and I don't want to get sicker myself." "I feel terrible about not showing up, and I feel worse about exposing you to this apparently very viral illness," Dreyfuss continued. "But there will be other times and I will make it my business to show up." Dreyfuss joked that he hopes all his fans " feel very sorry for me, and very sorry for yourselves." "I'm in a lot of pain and that has to come first, my health," he stated. "I feel very good about having the time and enough health." "And such great fans!" his wife added. "We love you, we miss you all, and we will see you soon," Erokhin also said. In the caption, SharkCon wrote, "All prepaid autographs and photo ops will automatically be refunded. There is no reason to reach out. It will take 5-10 business days plus what your bank takes for them to be processed. We are so sorry for any inconvenience. Thank you." A representative for Dreyfuss did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
