Voila! The Toronto WNBA expansion team finally has a name— Toronto Tempo. Set to debut as the league’s 14th franchise in 2026, Tempo will be the WNBA’s first team outside the United States. Team president Teresa Resch described the name, “Tempo is pace. It’s speed. It’s a heartbeat. And it’s what you feel when you step into the streets of this city and in the energy of the people who call Canada home.”

While the team seems prepared to hit the ground running, some think Canada might not be entirely ready to have their basketball team.

Gilbert Arenas has a unique take on this. In a recent tweet, shared by Krysta, the former NBA star expressed concerns about travel logistics for the new team. “By 2026, y’all better be flying private. It shouldn’t be all commercial. I’m just saying, commercial flights to Toronto are going to be a motherf—-r with customs. Hopefully, y’all are all private by then,” Arenas said.

He didn’t stop there. “I don’t play no more, so it doesn’t affect me. I’m just saying, charter flights this season, maybe not be the most ideal planes for some teams, and kind of janky travel conditions. But do you think this expansion will really help the league grow? Or will it water things down? I don’t know.”

Arenas might be onto something. Toronto Pearson International Airport has earned a reputation as one of the worst airports in North America for customer satisfaction, despite contributing over $42 billion annually to Ontario’s GDP. According to a JD Power survey, it ranked 20th out of 21 mega-sized airports, scoring 36 points below the average for factors like terminal facilities, baggage claims, security checks, and food options.

And it’s not just one survey. CTV News Toronto also ranked it among the five worst major airports in North America. The biggest challenge? An overwhelming influx of passengers. According to JD Power’s managing director of travel, hospitality, and retail, this surge is one of the airport’s most significant issues.

Arenas’ point about the need for private travel by 2026 is relevant, especially as many WNBA teams still rely on commercial flights. However, this issue doesn’t seem to be high on the Toronto Tempo’s priority list.

For now, the Toronto Tempo’s focus is on building its foundation

According to Resch, the next major step will be hiring a general manager. “That’s the next big thing to come,” she said. “Especially on the hiring side. Bringing on a great basketball mind.”

The team will initially play at the Coca-Cola Coliseum, which seats 8,000 fans. With 7,000 season ticket deposits already secured, there’s a clear excitement in Toronto. While the Tempo will eventually have its practice facility, the team will train at the University of Toronto’s Goldring Centre for High-Performance Sports until construction is complete.

Resch is optimistic about the bigger picture, saying, “We really believe we have the opportunity to [raise] the league and the WNBA to a global status… our story is much greater than the borders of this country.”

The Toronto Tempo will join the WNBA alongside another expansion team in Portland. While the name and branding have been unveiled, Resch has not yet addressed the travel concerns raised by Arenas. For now, the focus remains on building a competitive team and preparing to take the league to new heights.