If you’ve been following the WNBA news cycle, you’ll know that the WNBA and its players recently came to terms on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement after 16 months of negotiations. These negotiations were essential in being able to continue the process of integrating the Toronto Tempo into the WNBA. With the new CBA agreed upon and now ratified by the players, it’s time to look forward to a condensed WNBA offseason.
The Tempo haven’t really been able to do anything since 2026 rolled in, hindered from team building until this CBA was complete. The players were fighting for better compensation and benefits, and were able to negotiate a landmark contract that includes a $1.4 million supermax salary and a team cap of $7 million. They will also get 20% of gross league revenue, and historic benefits when it comes to retirement, healthcare, family planning and more.
Now that the players have voted to ratify the deal, it’s time to look ahead at what is next for the Toronto Tempo. The WNBA will have a condensed offseason in the first three weeks of April before training camps open on April 19. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of everything that will happen:
Expansion Draft: April 1-6
First thing on the agenda for the WNBA is holding the two-team expansion draft for the Tempo and the Portland Fire. It will be held from April 1-6, with the draft itself happening on ESPN on the 6th and the days before used for the other 13 teams to submit their protection lists and to give the Tempo and Fire time to plan.
There isn’t much information out yet about how the expansion draft will work. ESPN reported on Monday that teams will probably be able to protect 5 players each from being taken by Toronto and Portland, but there is no indication on whether free agents count in those protections. In the WNBA’s last expansion, the Golden State Valkyries were able to place the core designation on one unrestricted free agent, triggering a max contract and the negotiation rights to that player.
With the core designation still existing in the new CBA, there is precedent for Toronto and Portland to be able to do the same. The WNBA’s new experience cap on the core designation does not take effect until 2027, so Toronto and Portland could potentially designate experienced players in this way as well.
Other than that, there isn’t much indication of who the expansion teams will be able to draft. With 5 protected players for existing teams, that will probably cover most of the rookie contracts for each team. If free agents aren’t being chosen, that does not leave many other choices. The Valkyries did end up drafting a few players’ draft rights from other teams, so that’s a possibility as well.
Free Agency: April 7-18
Free Agency in the WNBA takes place in three parts: First, qualifying offers go out to restricted free agents and core-eligible players. Then there is a negotiation period, during which teams can meet with players but cannot sign anyone. Then, the signing period begins, and teams can actually sign players to contracts.
This year, qualifying offers will go out from April 7-8, followed by the negotiation period from April 9-11, and then the signing period from April 12-18. It’s an incredibly quick turnaround, but will probably be helped along by the desire of a lot of the league’s top players to stay with the teams they played for last year. Since it will be after the expansion draft, Toronto will have more of a structure to their roster at least, and will see who they can attract in the free agency market.
Over 80% of the league’s players are free agents this season, making this period unprecedented for several reasons. Not only do you have over 100 current players looking for new contracts, but the introduction of two new teams, PLUS the increased roster sizes coming with the new CBA means there are a lot of spots to fill.
Teams are required this season to carry 12 full-time players, an increase from the 11 most teams carried in previous seasons. Additionally, each team will have 2 “developmental players” who will be with their teams all season, and can be called up to the main roster when needed.
Toronto is in an interesting spot, free agency-wise. Being an expansion draft does put them at a disadvantage in a way, because a lot of the league’s top players want to sign with teams that have championship aspirations, and expansion teams usually take a few seasons to get on their feet.
In another sense, though, Toronto will very quickly become a top free agency market simply location-wise. WNBA players like being in diverse, lively locations, and Toronto is definitely that — the Tempo will be able to appeal to a lot of players that want to live in a progressive, exciting city that is easily accessible travel-wise, and has a lot of family appeal. They could even be a hub for international players (Canadian or otherwise) who want to set up camp in Toronto.
The WNBA Draft: April 13
Maybe the best place for Toronto to team-build this year is the WNBA Draft. Toronto has three picks currently, one in each round of the draft. Their first round pick will either be No. 6 or No. 7, the order depending on whether Toronto gets the first pick in the expansion draft or not.
At No. 6 or No. 7, Toronto will get a quality player in the first round, and this draft is deep regardless. With roster space now to develop players, locking in drafted players for four years will be big for team building. Most of the free agents they will get will likely sign for 1-2 seasons (pretty standard WNBA-wise), and the ability to lock in talent to carry over for four seasons is essential.
College players coming in will probably be excited at the idea of being drafted by an expansion team, because there is more safety in making the final roster. There is no roster precedent or hierarchy in who stays; there are no rookies from last season to compete with. It’s a great draft for Toronto to play around in, and grab some prospects with potential.
