February 20, 2025
Monica Wright Rogers officially announced as Toronto Tempo general manager
Rogers: 'This is such a unique sports city and I want to be thoughtful in how we operate in our inaugural season'
On Thursday morning, the Toronto Tempo officially introduced their new general manager, Monica Wright Rogers, at a press conference in Toronto, marking another milestone in the Tempo’s journey to tip-off in 2026.
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Rogers, a former No. 2 overall WNBA Draft pick and two-time champion with the Minnesota Lynx, played six seasons with the Lynx before being traded to the Seattle Storm in 2016. She was also a collegiate All-American at Virginia. She joins the Tempo from the Phoenix Mercury, where she was assistant GM.
“The unique combination of experience that Monica will bring to this team is incredible. She’s a proven champion who understands the game from so many different perspectives,” Tempo president Teresa Resch said in a statement released by the team. “And she’s so much more than the collection of her experiences.”
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“Monica is an incredible relationship-builder with a sharp eye for talent who embodies everything we want the Tempo to stand for: she’s warm, welcoming, smart, driven and fiercely competitive. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on board.”
Rogers also has served as an assistant coach and an NBA executive before becoming the Mercury’s assistant general manager. She also played internationally in Poland, Turkey, Australia and Iceland. During the 2015 WNBA season, she was the secretary-treasurer of the WNBA Players Association.
“A lot of my career I’ve been pointing to a position like this since picking up a ball and my first WNBA basket and just my passion for the W what it’s done for my life,” said Rogers. “I can’t wait to give that back to this team and to this city.”
Working directly with Resch, Rogers will be in charge of hiring a head coach and other team staff ahead of the 2026 season.
Resch joked that she put Rogers “through the ringer”, but the hiring process began around September —a shortlist of about 20 to 25 people was drawn up, before being cut down to six options. Three finalists were ultimately brought to Toronto for meetings.
“I want to do a lot of listening and learning,” Rogers said. “I think that this is such a unique sports city and I want to be thoughtful in how we operate in our inaugural season. I really want to tap in with some of the other teams’ leaders and understand from them what’s been successful, what hasn’t in this city. And so that’s probably top of my to-do list.”
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The Tempo will not only have the Golden State Valkyries to look up to, as they are currently going through the roster building and drafting process as an expansion team, but Rogers knows that the market for expansion teams will “have to be good” and they will be looking to show players all that Toronto, and the Tempo, have to offer in 2026.
Building relationships with players, coaching staff, front office executives and other members of the Tempo organization is not only a priority for Rogers, but a necessity.
“I’m a people first type of person and team first, so making sure that people know you care about them genuinely always helps when you do have to have the harder conversations down the line,” said Rogers.
As Canada’s only WNBA franchise at the moment, the Tempo have taken on the role of “Canada’s team”, and have stated they plan to play games in Vancouver, Montreal and other markets across the country.
Being representation for young women across Canada is something Rogers is looking forward to, and being able to shed light outside of just the Toronto market.
“There’s nothing but opportunities being able to make sure that Tempo logo is seen across the country, and that young women, young athletes, are able to see women playing at the professional level, and know that that’s attainable for them in this country,” said Rogers.
On top of being that representation for Canadians of all ages, Rogers also wants to put a competitive product on the floor.
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Her time with the Mercury, a team that has lured free agents with world-class facilities and amenities, proving an investment in their players, is exactly what Rogers wants to be able to provide to players who are free agents when the Tempo tips off.
“Free agency is a big, big deal in our league, because we’re a very star driven league and being able to have hands on experience and telling a story of a team in giving free agents an opportunity to choose you,” said Rogers.
While many residents of Toronto and basketball fans across the country have questions about how the Tempo will become championship contenders, which Canadian players will be part of the franchise and just how the on-court product will look, there are still many other hires to be made before the first Tempo player is selected to the team.
She touched on her time with the Minnesota Lynx dynasty, knowing exactly what it takes to craft a championship team from top to bottom, and how she aims to do the exact same with the Tempo.
“I think that really shapes how I select talent, it really shapes how I select people to be a part of this organization, so it’s everything to have that experience and know what it takes to be great,” said Rogers.
