TORONTO (AP) 鈥� Toronto鈥檚 new WNBA team has issued a 鈥渃all for inspiration鈥� to its fans for suggestions on a team name, colors and identity.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 just want to be WNBA Toronto,鈥� team president Teresa Resch told The Canadian Press. 鈥淲e want to have a name and a logo and a colourway that means something to people, that people can have pride in. So we look forward to getting to that sooner rather than later.鈥�
The idea of fans helping pick a name has been a trendy way for new professional sports teams to engage with their communities. The NHL's Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Seattle expansions have all had fans help with naming, so too did the WNBA's Golden State Valkyries.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to limit people,鈥� Resch said. 鈥淚nstead of just asking for a name, we want people to really share with us what this team is going to mean to them, what inspired them 鈥� any sort of inspiration that moves them.
鈥淎nd we hope to hear from all of Canada and really take all that information and create a name and a full brand identity, from a collective and not just a name or two here and there.鈥�
A group of designers and advisers will review the contributions to develop a shortlist of options. The final name will be chosen by team and league leadership by the end of the year.
Fans can provide their input via or by texting WNBA to 1-833-662-3664 through Aug. 28.
Resch said the team will be transparent throughout the process, sharing its progress via its website, social media and podcasts.
鈥淲e want people to know what we鈥檙e doing,鈥� she said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 just submit your name or your favourite colour and then walk away. Stay with us. I think we have a great story to tell.鈥�
Toronto was awarded a WNBA team in May, becoming the league鈥檚 first team outside the U.S. The new franchise, which will be owned and operated by Kilmer Sports Ventures, is slated to begin play in the 2026 season as the league鈥檚 14th franchise. The expansion Valkyries are set to start play next year.
The Toronto team will primarily play out of the 8,700-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum, home to the AHL Marlies, with the 19,800-seat Scotiabank Arena also an option. But Kilmer Chairman Larry Tanenbaum has said the team will play home games elsewhere in Canada to help showcase the WNBA and help grow women鈥檚 basketball.
___
AP WNBA:
The Associated Press
