A regular-season WNBA game in Montreal on Friday saw a new attendance record set, with the Toronto Tempo playing the Dallas Wings. The event took place in a city that does not currently host a permanent team. The crowd at the Bell Centre demonstrated support for the professional women’s basketball league, despite the Tempo being an expansion team from Toronto.
The attendance figure for the game was reported as 20,996, surpassing the previous WNBA regular-season attendance record of 20,711, which was set in 2024 in Washington, D.C. The Tempo lost to the Wings with a final score of 108-95.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
Dallas Wings player Paige Bueckers scored a game-high 34 points. She also contributed six rebounds and six assists. Jessica Shepard added 20 points for Dallas and secured a game-high 17 rebounds. For the Tempo, Marina Mabrey led the team with 34 points, while Laura Juskaite scored 25 points. The game was a back-and-forth contest, with six lead changes in the third quarter. Dallas ultimately pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Toronto 24-10.
Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello commented on the team’s role, stating, “We say we’re Canada’s team so we’re taking the show on the road.” She also noted the unique opportunity to create firsts for the league in Canada. Jose Fernandez, head coach for Dallas, acknowledged the significance of the event for Canadian basketball fans and the trajectory of the WNBA.
Isabelle Harrison, a forward for the Tempo, expressed pride in representing Canada, saying, “It’s bigger than us, and I hope Canada’s proud of us.” The Tempo is an international squad, with players and coaches from nine different countries.
Canadian Connections and Future Outlook
The game marked the first of the Tempo‘s Cross Canada Series. The Tempo‘s ownership group includes Geoff Molson, owner and president of the Montreal Canadiens, and alternate governor France Margaret Belanger. The team is scheduled to play four home games outside of Toronto in its inaugural season, including upcoming games in Vancouver against the Portland Fire on August 21 and the Las Vegas Aces on August 23.
The Tempo signed Canadian player Kayla Alexander to a seven-day hardship contract, marking her return to the WNBA since 2020. This signing was made to address the team’s need in the frontcourt due to injuries to Nyara Sabally and Temi Fagbenle. Alexander, from Milton, Ontario, was not expecting the call from the Tempo‘s front office. Her Canadian citizenship allowed her to join the team immediately without a delayed visa process.
The Bell Centre in Montreal also holds the record for the highest regular-season game attendance in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, with 21,105 attendees on April 20, 2024, for a game between Toronto and Montreal. The Tempo‘s visit to Montreal has sparked discussions about the possibility of a permanent WNBA team in the city, potentially fostering a rivalry with Toronto in another sport. Tempo guard Laura Juskaite noted the positive atmosphere, suggesting that it would be beneficial to have two teams in Canada.
Following this game, the Tempo are scheduled to host the New York Liberty in Montreal on Sunday.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
