The hiring of Sandy Brondello by the Toronto Tempo raised eyebrows in the basketball community. Brondello, a highly accomplished coach in the WNBA, opted to join the expansion team despite receiving lucrative offers from Dallas and Seattle. When asked about her decision, Brondello highlighted the unique opportunity in Toronto, emphasizing the potential to attract talented players given the team’s expansion status and the allure of the city in the summer.
The Golden State Valkyries’ expansion draft a year ago set the stage for unexpected success, but the current WNBA off-season is marked by uncertainty due to the impending expiration of the collective bargaining agreement. With the addition of two new teams, the Tempo and the Portland Fire, in 2026, the league faces complex challenges.
Regarding the expansion draft for the Tempo, details are still awaited as the team focuses on other aspects of preparation. The ongoing negotiations between the league and players under an extended deadline until Jan. 9 aim to significantly increase the salary cap and contract values, potentially reshaping the landscape of player acquisitions.
Building the Tempo’s roster will involve a mix of strategies, including free agency, the expansion draft, and the upcoming collegiate draft where the team holds either the sixth or seventh pick. While projecting the final roster remains uncertain, the possibility of recruiting Canadian players like Kia Nurse, Bridget Carleton, and Laeticia Amihere is enticing.
In the collegiate draft, Spanish talent Awa Fam stands as a potential target for the Tempo, while other prospects like Ta’Niya Latson and notable NCAA stars are also considered. Free agency offers a wide array of options for the team, leveraging the unique advantage of having former players as both general manager and coach to attract top talent.
The Tempo’s pitch to players includes the appeal of Toronto as a diverse and vibrant city with excellent amenities. However, the impact of the expansion draft on roster construction remains unclear given the limited player pool and the simultaneous entry of two new teams. While defensive prowess and an exciting playing style are key priorities, the exact players the Tempo will target remain uncertain in the evolving landscape of team-building.