The WNBA might want to invest in a good firewall—or maybe just some common sense. Fans discovered a shocking (and kind of hilarious) update on the league’s official site that accidentally revealed the name of its Toronto expansion team: the “Toronto Tempo.” Yes, you read that right. Not the Golden State Valkyries, which was previously rumored, but a rhythm-themed moniker that has sparked all kinds of ridicule.
Basketball sleuths noticed the unexpected addition while exploring the league’s drop-down menu for teams. Lo and behold, sandwiched between the Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics was the mystical Toronto Tempo. Naturally, the internet exploded.
“Tempo? As in the tissue brand? Because I just cried laughing,” quipped one fan on X (formerly Twitter). Another chimed in with brutal honesty: “They better mean ‘tempo’rary.”
A Leak to Remember
The drama kicked off when eagle-eyed fans found the Tempo listed under the “search by team” player database. Screenshots spread like wildfire, and reactions ranged from mild disappointment to unfiltered mockery.
“The WNBA has officially cemented its title as the least professional league in history,” one user declared, while others debated whether the name was tragic or just plain weird. “It’s not terrible, but it’s not great either,” one fan reluctantly admitted.
To be fair, the WNBA has been hyping its 2026 expansion teams for months. Billionaire Larry Tanenbaum’s Kilmer Sports Ventures is leading the charge for the Toronto franchise, which is set to play at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Portland, Oregon, will also join the league that year. Fans had eagerly awaited an official name reveal, but instead, they got a half-baked spoiler.
Chelsea Leite, the editor of Raptors HQ, confirmed what many suspected: “This was not the plan. Someone clearly jumped the gun.”
The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft: Can Tempo Keep Up?
While the name reveal has been a comedic disaster, the potential for the 2026 expansion teams to make a splash is very real. Both Toronto and Portland will have access to the WNBA’s regular draft, an expansion draft, and the ever-tempting free agency market.
The timing couldn’t be better. In 2026, some of the league’s biggest names will hit unrestricted free agency, including three-time MVP A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Sabrina Ionescu, and Arike Ogunbowale. If the Tempo can land even one or two of these stars, they might just silence the critics—and maybe distract fans from the name.
Until then, though, the internet’s verdict is loud and clear: the WNBA has some tempo to catch up on. Let’s just hope their next announcement doesn’t come with a typo or, worse, another accidental leak.
