Tennis legend Serena Williams has joined the possession group of the Toronto Tempo, a WNBA enlargement crew that may play its inaugural season in 2026.
Williams shall be becoming a member of Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Kilmer Sports activities Ventures, within the possession group.
“I’m thrilled to announce my possession position within the first Canadian WNBA crew, the Toronto Tempo,” Williams mentioned in an announcement. “This second isn’t just about basketball; it’s about showcasing the true worth and potential of feminine athletes – I’ve all the time mentioned that ladies’s sports activities are an unimaginable funding alternative. I’m excited to companion with Larry and all of Canada in creating
this new WNBA franchise and legacy.”
Though she was born in Michigan and grew up in Compton, California, Canada holds a particular place in Williams’ coronary heart. Her very first skilled tennis match was the October 1995 Bell Problem in Quebec Metropolis, when she was 14 years previous.
Williams misplaced that first match in straight units to Annie Miller, however her profession turned out to be a historic one. She gained 783 skilled singles matches, 23 Grand Slams singles titles and 14 main doubles titles earlier than retiring in 2022.
Williams’ roles with the Tempo will embody serving to design jerseys and forging distinctive merchandise collaborations with the crew.
“Serena is a champion,” Tempo president Teresa Resch mentioned. “She’s the best athlete of all time and her impression on this crew and this nation goes to be unimaginable.
“She’s set the bar for girls in sport, enterprise and the world — and her dedication to utilizing that success to create alternatives for different ladies is inspiring — we’re thrilled to be marking the lead-up to Worldwide Ladies’s Day with this announcement.”
