Serena Williams Is Expanding Her Empire — From the Tennis Court to the WNBA Court

She’s stepping into a new arena — and this time, it’s basketball.

Serena Williams, one of the most decorated athletes in sports history, has officially joined the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, Canada’s first-ever WNBA team (People). The tennis legend shared the news with fans through a striking promotional video, marking another powerful move in her post-tennis career.

“New court, new game. I am incredibly excited to join the @torontotempo as the team’s newest owner,” Williams wrote on Instagram, exuding her signature mix of confidence and determination.

The WNBA approved Toronto’s expansion franchise in May 2024, making it the first team in league history based outside the United States (ESPN). The Toronto Tempo are set to debut in the 2026 season, joining the league at a pivotal moment as women’s basketball experiences unprecedented global growth. The 2025 WNBA season will tip off on May 16.

Williams will share ownership responsibilities with Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures and one of Canada’s most influential sports executives. Together, they aim to position the Tempo as not just a team, but a cultural force for women’s empowerment and international sports visibility.

A 23-time Grand Slam champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist, Williams brings her legacy of excellence and her game-changing mindset to this new chapter. In her own words:

“Being an owner is about fueling something bigger than myself. I’ve spent my life pushing limits on the court, and now I get to do that off the court—for this incredible organization and the athletes who will make history here,” Williams wrote on her Instagram Stories.

While her investment awaits final league approval, the tennis icon has already started envisioning her impact. According to a press statement cited by The Guardian, Williams plans to collaborate on jersey design and launch exclusive Tempo-branded merchandise under her creative direction. That comes naturally to the fashion-forward mogul, who became the first athlete to win the CFDA Fashion Icon Award and founded her own label, S by Serena, in 2018.

Joining a Canadian team also brings Williams full circle. She reminisced about her early connection to the country:

“Canada has always been a special place for me. I played my first professional tennis match in Quebec City, and I love Toronto — the culture, the food, the people,” she said.

At just 19 years old, Williams captured her first Rogers Cup title in Toronto, an early signal of the dominance that would define her career. Now, she returns to the city not as a competitor, but as a builder of legacy.

The Toronto Tempo organization couldn’t hide its excitement. Tanenbaum praised Williams’ unmatched influence both on and off the court:

“Serena Williams is an icon, a role model, and a force for change. She embodies everything the Tempo represent — excellence, resilience, and ambition. We couldn’t be more honored to have her in our court,” he said in a statement.

Teresa Resch, President of Tempo Basketball Club, echoed those sentiments, telling CBC News that Williams’ involvement will elevate women’s sports to new heights.

“Serena is a champion in every sense of the word. She’s set the bar for women in sport and business — and she’s used her success to open doors for others. We’re thrilled to welcome her as part of this new era for the WNBA,” Resch said.

This isn’t Serena’s first foray into professional sports ownership. Back in 2009, she and her sister Venus Williams became minority owners of the Miami Dolphins, making them among the first Black women to hold ownership stakes in an NFL franchise (NBC Sports).

For Serena, this moment is about far more than expanding her portfolio — it’s about rewriting the playbook for female athletes and investors.

“This moment isn’t just about basketball,” she emphasized. “It’s about showing the world the value and potential of women’s sports. I’ve always believed women’s athletics are an incredible investment opportunity — and I’m excited to help make that vision a reality here in Canada.”

From the tennis court to the front office, Serena Williams continues to redefine what’s possible. Her latest venture proves once again that she’s not just winning games — she’s changing them.