Toronto's WNBA team wants your name ideas

Toronto's Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) expansion team is asking fans to help choose the name and look of the team — with a focus on having all of Canada involved.

Speaking on CBC Radio's Metro Morning Thursday, team president Teresa Resch said the team's name and identity has been her first order of business.

"We're really looking forward to canvassing Canada to get ideas and inspiration," she said.

"We want to hear from people across Canada; what inspires them, ideas of names, designs of logos, colours, what they want this team to stand for, what inspires them, what they love about Canada."

The team has launched a website to solicit ideas from fans — for names, but also colour recommendations and even anecdotes, sounds and photos that encapsulate what they want the team to stand for.

"We want people to be a part of this process," Resch said. "Be along with us on this journey."

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In a news release, the group said its "call for inspiration" is open until Aug. 28, with everything shared to be reviewed by a group of designers and advisers who are set to create the team's official brand.

That team will then evaluate those options, including through consultation with a community council, team partners, the team itself and league leadership to develop a shortlist of options.

Once legal vetting happens, the team says, name choices will be shared through the team's blog and social media channels, with a final decision on a name expected before the end of this year.

Larry Tanenbaum's Kilmer Sports Ventures is the owner of the as-yet unnamed team, which was announced in May.

Kilmer Sports Ventures paid $115 million US for the team. Tanenbaum was also responsible for bringing the NBA to Toronto, with the Raptors joining the league 30 years ago.

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The WNBA team will play out of the 8,700-seat Coca-Cola Coliseum, an arena in downtown Toronto at Exhibition Place and will have the ability to move up to the 19,800-seat Scotiabank Arena on occasion. The 103-year-old arena is also home to the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies and hosted the first Professional Women's Hockey League's Toronto team during its first-ever playoff run.

Toronto's WNBA team will start playing in May 2026. It will be the league's 14th franchise, with the expansion Golden State Valkyries set to start playing next year.

When asked about aspects of the team like roster construction, coaching and the front office, Resch said Thursday the organization has so far been focused on starting a new business, with a focus on the basketball side to come in earnest once the current WNBA season is done.