In December, Canada’s first WNBA franchise announced that it would be called the Toronto Tempo. Two months later, the team has its first GM in Monica Wright Rogers.
The Tempo’s new GM is no stranger to the game. She’s a former award-winning star player for the UVA Cavaliers, winning ACC Player of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year and National Defensive Player of the Year honors. In 2010, the Minnesota Lynx selected the collegiate All-American with the second overall pick in that year’s WNBA Draft.
Her WNBA career was just as successful as her collegiate one as she was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2010 and won two titles with the Lynx in 2011 and 2013. She also played professionally with the Seattle Storm before heading overseas to Poland, Turkey, Australia and Iceland.
After her playing career was done, she moved into coaching, which included a stint as an assistant coach back at UVA. After working for the NBA, she became the assistant general manager for the Phoenix Mercury in 2023.
Now she’s headed north to run Canada’s first WNBA franchise.
“The excitement about this team, and around women’s sports in general in Canada right now is palpable,” said Rogers in a statement. “To have the opportunity to play such a key role in building this team in this country at this moment is an honour. I am truly fortunate to be leading this franchise alongside impressive figures like Teresa and Larry and I thank them for entrusting me to put together a team as vibrant, passionate and dynamic as the city it calls home. Sports fans around the world should keep an eye on us.”
The WNBA’s 14th franchise begins play in 2026.
