Record-breaking attendance in Montreal
Montreal recently hosted a WNBA regular-season game between the Toronto Tempo and the Dallas Wings, drawing a record-setting crowd to the Bell Centre. The event marked a significant moment for women’s professional basketball, with 20,996 attendees. This figure surpassed the previous WNBA regular-season attendance record of 20,711, which was established in 2024 in Washington, D.C. The game showcased strong support for the league in a city that does not currently have its own WNBA team.
Despite the enthusiastic crowd, the Tempo, Canada’s sole WNBA team, lost to the Wings with a score of 108-95. The Tempo, an expansion team, aims to represent Canada across the country. Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello emphasized the team’s role as “Canada’s team,” taking their games on the road to engage fans nationwide. She noted that experiencing a single game can lead fans to appreciate the sport, highlighting the calibre of players in the league.
The event also highlighted the potential for a permanent WNBA team in Montreal, fostering a future rivalry with Toronto in another sport. Tempo guard Laura Juskaite commented on the positive atmosphere, suggesting that having two Canadian teams would be beneficial. The Bell Centre also holds the record for the highest regular-season game attendance in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, with 21,105 attendees at a game between Toronto and Montreal on April 20, 2024.
Game highlights and player performances
The game featured notable performances from both teams. For the Dallas Wings, Paige Bueckers, the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, scored a game-high 34 points, which was also a season-high for her. She also contributed six rebounds and six assists. Jessica Shepard added 20 points and a game-high 17 rebounds for Dallas. The Wings outscored the Tempo 24-10 in the fourth quarter to secure their victory.
For the Toronto Tempo, Marina Mabrey led the team with 34 points. Laura Juskaite contributed 25 points, along with three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. Isabelle Harrison scored 18 points for the Tempo. The game was a back-and-forth contest, with six lead changes in the third quarter. The Tempo held a one-point lead after three quarters and a 56-52 lead at halftime.
The Tempo were playing without several key players due to injuries. Sandy Brondello acknowledged the team’s effort despite these challenges, stating they “ran out of gas.” The Tempo‘s ownership group includes Montreal Canadiens owner and president Geoff Molson and alternate governor France Margaret Belanger.
Canadian presence and upcoming games
The game also marked the return of Canadian player Kayla Alexander to the WNBA. She was signed to a seven-day hardship contract by the Tempo, her first stint in the league since 2020. Alexander, a two-time Olympian, was brought in to address the team’s need in the frontcourt due to injuries to Nyara Sabally and Temi Fagbenle. Her Canadian citizenship allowed for an immediate start without visa delays. Alexander is expected to be available for at least two more games during her current contract.
The Tempo‘s game in Montreal was part of their strategy to play four home games outside of Toronto during their inaugural season. Their schedule includes hosting the Portland Fire on August 21 and the Las Vegas Aces on August 23 at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena. The Tempo‘s delayed flight to Montreal limited their time to explore the city, but players planned to do so before their next game.
The Tempo will host the New York Liberty in Montreal on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Wings will host the Chicago Sky on Sunday.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
