Billionaire Larry Tanenbaum has proposed a bid to convey a WNBA franchise to the town of Toronto by means of his holding firm, the Kilmer Group, CBC’s Shireen Ahmed reported Monday.
Tanenbaum is the minority proprietor and chairman of Maple Leafs Sports activities and Leisure (MLSE), which owns the Maple Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC, Argonauts and Marlies (Rogers, which owns Sportsnet, owns 37.5 per cent of MLSE).
Ahmed reported that an announcement may come as quickly as Could after Tanenbaum meets with WNBA management to debate the bid.
When reached for remark by Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, the Kilmer Group didn’t verify Shireen’s report however did say that Tanenbaum is dedicated to enhancing the experiences of sports activities followers in Toronto.
“Larry Tanenbaum has spent his profession constructing and rising iconic sports activities franchises,” Courtney Glen, vp of public affairs and communications on the Kilmer Group mentioned in an announcement obtained by Grange.
“He is aware of that Toronto has among the best sports activities followers on the planet. And is at all times searching for alternatives to champion skilled sports activities and ship unrivalled fan experiences within the metropolis he loves. Kilmer won’t reply to hypothesis or present additional remark right now.”
In Could 2023, when Toronto hosted a sold-out WNBA pre-season sport, WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert mentioned “Toronto scored very excessive on the record” of cities the league is contemplating for enlargement.
The WNBA awarded a thirteenth franchise to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors in October, and Englebert mentioned the league’s “purpose is to have a 14th group by 2025.”
Ahmed reported that the Coca-Cola Coliseum, the place the Marlies name residence, is a venue that Tanenbaum is contemplating if the bid is profitable.
One other growth that Ahmed reported is that former Raptors vice-president of basketball operations and participant growth Teresa Resch can be concerned with the brand new franchise.
Resch had her final day with the Raptors on Friday, and Grange reported Sunday that Resch is predicted to remain in Toronto.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported in 2022 that the Chicago Blackhawks had an curiosity in Resch as a GM candidate. They finally moved interim common supervisor Kyle Davidson into the full-time position.
Resch was with the NBA head workplace for 5 years earlier than becoming a member of the Raptors.
