Toronto Tempo President Runs WNBA Franchise Like Startup

The Toronto Tempo, the WNBA's newest expansion franchise, has achieved record-breaking attendance and significant on-court performance in its inaugural season, with team president Teresa Resch likening its development to building a startup. Resch discussed the team's progress and the challenges overcome in an interview for the Rapid Response podcast, hosted by Robert Safian. A critical hurdle was the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the players' union, which was finalized shortly before the season began. Resch emphasized that without this agreement, the inaugural season might have been jeopardized, which would have been a significant setback after two years of preparation and building hype. The new CBA is described as transformative, featuring the largest salary increase in professional sports history, with the highest-paid player's salary significantly increasing from the previous year's approximately $200,000 figure. The expansion draft, which determined the initial roster, and the finalization of the budget were also key pre-season uncertainties. Resch noted that building a fan base for a Canadian team presents unique challenges, partly due to the complex political relationship between Canada and the United States. She described the initial period as a mix of excitement and anxiety, now characterized as 'a little bit of chaos' but ultimately productive. The approach to building the Tempo mirrors startup methodologies, focusing on rapid iteration, adaptability, and strategic growth in a nascent market. This includes establishing brand identity, cultivating community engagement, and leveraging data to understand and grow the fan base. The team's early success in attendance and player performance, such as a 53-point single-game performance by a star player, indicates a strong initial reception. Resch's insights highlight the intersection of sports management and entrepreneurial strategy, demonstrating how established models from the tech and startup world can be applied to professional sports franchises. The Rapid Response podcast, produced by the team behind Masters of Scale, features candid discussions with business leaders facing real-time challenges, offering a platform for Resch to share her experiences in building a professional sports entity from the ground up.