“This team has been 28 years in the making”: Meet Teresa Resch, president of Toronto’s new WNBA franchise

Toronto is getting a WNBA franchise for the 2026 season. Seems like it came together pretty fast, no? Actually, you could argue that it took 28 years—that’s how long the WNBA has been in existence, and many groups have tried to purchase a Toronto team over that time. But, today, with the rise of women’s pro sports in North America, the timing is perfect. Finally, we have the fan base and the finances.

And yet, last spring, MLSE walked away from a bid. Were you dejected? No. The WNBA had identified Toronto as a potential expansion city well before the pandemic. It was just a matter of finding the best ownership group. And then Larry Tanenbaum stepped up. When he asked me to be president of the team—that was the call I had been waiting for my entire life.

I’m sure Tanenbaum factored in your time working for Masai Ujiri. What did you learn from him? So many things. Most importantly, he told me to be myself. Whenever we’d be in a room with a bunch of successful, intimidating people, he’d remind me that I had a right to be there.

What was it like to tell your mentor that you were leaving him? We had been discussing what my next career move might be. When this opportunity surfaced, I pounced. But I didn’t get emotional until my going away party, because it finally felt real. Both Masai and general manager Bobby Webster spoke. They were so kind, telling everyone about the impact I’d made and how much I’d be missed.

Have you always been a sports lover? Always. I’m a six-foot-tall woman who grew up in tiny Lakefield, Minnesota, so I played everything. After college, I worked in events at Disney and then in operations with Lifetime Fitness. In 2013, I joined the Raptors.

What were your first impressions of Toronto? I lived off Queen West and loved it, but I soon discovered there were no bars playing the NBA season opener. I had to go to Hoops and watch it in the back. That was the season we launched the slogan “We the North” and made the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

And now we’re a city of champions. Seeing millions at the parade must have been validating. What are your most cherished memories from that time? From the moment we won, it was a party. We celebrated in Vegas after Game 6, flew home and had the parade, and on the first game of the 2020 season, we got our rings.

What are your passions apart from basketball? I’m in softball and golf leagues. I’m a PWHL season ticket holder. And I like TFC.

Sorry, better question: What are your passions apart from sports? I love food, whether it’s high-end, like Dreyfus on Harbord, or something simple, like a breakfast sandwich from Gold Standard. In the summer, I’m at all the music festivals. If it’s live, I’m there.

Do you have kids? Pets? A partner? Nope. I have a robust social life, but that has not resulted in finding the Canadian love of my life just yet. But this is not a dating profile!

What can you reveal about the team? Do you have a name in mind? What about colours? Will Toronto have a mascot? Please throw me the tiniest of bones. I can’t say anything except that we will be engaging the public on these decisions. We’re just figuring out how that will work.

Your home court will be Coca-Cola Coliseum, which has a capacity of about 8,000. Can you imagine a time when women’s sports will routinely sell out a bigger venue? I don’t have to imagine. We saw it at Toronto’s sold-out WNBA exhibition game last year. For our inaugural season, we may even play some games at Scotiabank Arena.

But you have to wait a year and a half until Toronto’s first game. Won’t that be torture? It seems far off, but when I think about all that needs to get done, there won’t be enough hours in each day. Our priorities right now are coming up with the team name, logo and brand; hiring staff; securing sponsors; and spreading the word.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.