Serena Williams buys WNBA ownership stake, will have 'active role'

Serena Williams is joining the ownership of WNBA expansion team, the Toronto Tempo, according to Sports Business Journal. The legendary tennis player is also an owner of Miami Dolphins (NFL), Angel City FC (NWSL) and Los Angeles Golf Club (TGL).

“This moment is not just about basketball; it is about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes — I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity,” Williams said. “I am excited to partner with Larry [Tanenbaum] and all of Canada in creating this new WNBA franchise and legacy.”

Williams made over $94 million in earnings during her professional career. She won 73 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including 23 major women’s singles titles — the most in the Open Era, and the second-most of all time.

Williams will play an active role in designing future jerseys and creating merchandise collaborations for the Toronto Tempo. The team is primarily owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures, which is chaired by Larry Tanenbaum, and is led by team president Teresa Resch.

Tannenbaum is thrilled to have Serena Williams join the ownership team.

“Serena Williams is an icon, a role model and a force for change in the world” Tanenbaum said. “She’s earned every bit of her incredible success with hard work, tenacity and determination in the face of countless challenges. She exemplifies the very best of what the Tempo stands for — we couldn’t be more honored to have Serena in our court.”

The Toronto Tempo are the 14th team to join the WNBA. They will not be a part of the organization this season but will make their debut in 2026. The expansion draft will be held after the 2025 season.

In February, Tempo general manager Monica Wright Rogers painted a promising picture of the team’s future.

“In the coming months, we’re going to build this team from the ground up, hiring not only a head coach but an entire roster of talent that will shape our first season,” Wright Rogers said. “We’ll do that through the expansion draft, but also through what I believe will be the most dynamic free-agency period that the league has ever seen.

“Twenty-one of last year’s WNBA All-Stars are set to become unrestricted free agents in 2026. We are dedicated to bringing the greatest basketball talent in the world here to Toronto.”

Wright Rogers won two WNBA titles as a player with the Minnesota Lynx and was the assistant general manager for the Phoenix Mercury the past two seasons. She has not named the team’s head coach yet.