Tennis legend Serena Williams is trading her racket for a stake in the WNBA as she steps into the world of basketball ownership. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has joined the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo. The announcement, made Monday, has sent waves of excitement through both the sports and entertainment worlds as Serena Williams continues to expand her influence beyond the tennis court.
Set to begin play in the 2026 season, the Tempo will be the first Canadian team in the WNBA, marking a significant milestone for the league’s growth and international presence. And with Williams on board, the team is already generating major buzz.
“I am thrilled to announce my ownership role in the first Canadian WNBA team, the Toronto Tempo,” Williams said in a statement. “This moment is not just about basketball; it is about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes. I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity. I am excited to partner with Larry and all of Canada in creating this new WNBA franchise and legacy.”
Kilmer Sports Ventures owns the team, with Tanenbaum as the group’s chairman. He also holds the position of chairman at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which oversees professional sports teams like the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs, among others. Additionally, Tanenbaum has considerable influence as the chairman of the NBA’s board of governors.
New court, new game
— Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) March 3, 2025
We’re thrilled to announce that @SerenaWilliams – legendary tennis
pro – has joined the team as the newest owner of the Toronto Tempo. pic.twitter.com/kRPYNvdoya
The Toronto Tempo will begin play in 2026 as the WNBA’s 14th franchise, competing in the league as a member of the Eastern Conference. The Tempo will be the first WNBA team located outside of the United States with the team playing its matches at the Coca-Cola Coliseum while hosting regular-season games across Canada.
“Serena is a champion,” team president Teresa Resch added. “She’s the greatest athlete of all time, and her impact on this team and this country is going to be incredible. She’s set the bar for women in sport, business, and the world—and her commitment to using that success to create opportunities for other women is inspiring.”
Couldn't imagine a better owner for Toronto than @serenawilliams — the Tempo just got an owner who CHAMPIONS women & excellence — made a career being her authentic self — opening doors for a generation & reshaping the sports world around her — the WNBA is lucky to have her.
— Alexis Ohanian(@alexisohanian) March 3, 2025
Serena Williams’s other business ventures include a minority ownership in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins team. She and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, are also founding members of NWSL’s Angel City FC.
