Monica Wright Rogers is preparing to accelerate the Toronto Tempo's progress. Having spent the initial four months as the Tempo's inaugural general manager focused on the business aspects of the new WNBA franchise, she is now shifting her attention to constructing the team's on-court presence before Toronto's debut in the 2026 season.
Wright Rogers emphasized the importance of community engagement and understanding the sports landscape in Toronto and Canada. She plans to transition her focus towards building the Tempo's roster and staff.
The team's roster will be assembled over the next year. The Tempo, along with Portland's new franchise, will have their first opportunity to select players in an expansion draft following the 2025 regular season. The regular draft and free agency in early 2026 will then help complete Toronto's lineup. A key priority is hiring the head coach. Wright Rogers, a former WNBA player and assistant GM of the Phoenix Mercury, believes that understanding the local landscape is crucial for developing the right strategy. This includes identifying players and staff who will be a good fit for the organization, both on and off the court.
Wright Rogers highlighted the veteran-centric nature of the WNBA, where rookies often take several years to develop. She anticipates free agency will be a critical step in building the Tempo's roster. She doesn't foresee any issues attracting players to Toronto, even those from outside of Canada. She is looking for the best players, including those from Canada and the strong international players currently in the WNBA. She noted that many WNBA players are accustomed to playing internationally.
Wright Rogers was appointed GM of the Tempo on February 20th. She was pleasantly surprised by the excitement surrounding the announcement, seeing it as a positive sign for the future of the team. She is encouraged by the warm reception and anticipates that the team's staff and players will experience the same welcoming atmosphere.
5 Comments
Coccinella
I believe in her vision for the team! She’s got the right approach to building a competitive roster.
Muchacho
The focus on attracting international talent might overlook local players who deserve a chance.
ZmeeLove
Can't wait to see how she constructs the team! The expansion draft should be interesting!
Habibi
I'm so excited for the Tempo! Monica's leadership will definitely bring a fresh perspective to the team.
Bermudez
Sounds like a lot of talk with no real substance. We need more than just excitement to build a team.