Many would feel that the 2026 season has already gone through a lot with elongated CBA discussions, but the real test starts now for the franchises, as teams will enter the pool of 100+ free agents, 50+ draft prospects, and two expansion teams, which will create chaos in roster building. For Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, though, it will be a great opportunity to get their card right, as they will be choosing the player rather than deciding on protections in the expansion draft.
The Tempo head coach, Sandy Brondello, voiced concern over the delayed WNBA 2026 schedule, but now she will be buckling up for her first season as coach of the expansion team. Luckily, she will have the backing of a prestigious investor of the franchise, Serena Williams, who recently opened up on her reason and plan for the investment.
Serena Williams Aims To Influence Toronto Tempo
With a record 23 grand slam winners in the WTA, Serena Williams is one of the influential sports personalities in the USA. With the WNBA’s rise and overall interest in women’s basketball, there are new investments across the league. The 2028 WNBA expansion team, the Cleveland team, also received massive investment from minority owners led by Monarch Collective. But Williams’ reason for investment is not commercial.
In her exclusive interview with the franchise’s social media team, she provided reasons for her investment and future plans, as Williams said, “One of the reasons I wanted to become an owner of a WNBA team is because I love the sport. I love women’s sports. I’ve been championing sports for so many decades. And I feel like there’s so much more that I can bring to the sport.”
Trailblazer. Champion. Investor for a better future in women's sport.
— Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) March 23, 2026
Serena Williams has always set the standard for athletics, both on and off the court. For her, becoming an owner in the Toronto Tempo didn't just mean being part of history, but bringing her expertise and… pic.twitter.com/8EP2Ve2Squ
Interestingly, the Tennis icon also invested in the Unrivaled league, showing her deep connection with women’s basketball. She is also connected to many sports franchises, including NWSL’s Angel City FC, TGL’s Los Angeles Golf Club, and the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
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As for the Tempo team, they will have their first official player on April 3, with the expansion draft selection order confirmed.
Toronto Tempo Chooses WNBA Draft Pick Over Expansion Draft Pick
As per the rule, the order of the WNBA expansion draft is decided with a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss makes the decision for the expansion draft pick. If the winner chooses first, the franchise will land a lower WNBA draft selection, and vice versa.
According to the current update, the Toronto Tempo won the toss and elected to choose second in the expansion draft, landing the sixth overall pick in the 2026 draft class.
Choosing second, always in command.
— Toronto Tempo (@TempoBasketball) March 27, 2026
After the coin toss, we have the second overall pick in the 2026 Tempo Expansion Draft.
Sponsored by @Instacart pic.twitter.com/eGbTfjXhhn
The decision to choose a higher WNBA pick clearly hints at the franchise’s plan to invest in a younger core rather than hand an MX contract to a veteran star from free agency, and with a deep 2026 draft class, the team will be able to land top talent on April 13.