CIBC, one of North America’s leading financial institutions, has joined forces with the Toronto Tempo, the WNBA’s first team based in Canada. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the team’s history, solidifying their commitment to bringing women’s professional basketball to the country.
Champions of Ambition: A New Community Program
CIBC has introduced “Champions of Ambition,” a program aimed at celebrating and elevating Canadians who have been changing the tempo in women’s sports. The program will feature stories of changemakers from coast-to-coast-to-coast, highlighting their unique contributions to the world of basketball and beyond.
The program will kick off with a new video showcasing the power of ambition, featuring individuals who have overcome obstacles to achieve their goals. From high school basketball coaches to parents cheering on their children, the video will demonstrate that ambition can become a reality.
A Commitment to Empowerment
CIBC’s commitment to the program goes beyond just sharing stories. They will also create authentic opportunities for greater representation in women’s sport in Canada. This includes initiatives to elevate and empower individuals and organizations in sport and beyond.
“We know that every ambition, on and off the court, is unique, and we’re committed to helping all Canadians achieve theirs,” says Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice President, Purpose, Brand and Corporate Affairs at CIBC. “We’re thrilled to work hand-in-hand with the Toronto Tempo to demonstrate to Canadians that no matter how big or small, your ambition can become a reality.”
The Toronto Tempo’s Partnership with CIBC
CIBC will be the Tempo’s Official Bank, with their logo appearing on team jerseys when the Tempo take to the court in 2026. This partnership is a natural extension of the bank’s long-standing commitment to fueling the ambitions of all Canadians.
“We’re excited to be part of bringing women’s professional basketball to Canada, and to be partnering with such a high-quality ownership group led by Larry Tanenbaum,” says Forbes. “We feel the energy building around landing a WNBA franchise in Canada and we’re proud of the work our teams are doing to make this a win for fans and also for our communities.”
About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million personal banking, business, public sector, and institutional clients. They offer a full range of advice, solutions, and services across various sectors.
“At CIBC, we believe that every ambition matters and, through our founding partnership, we are committed to raising awareness and increasing accessibility to women’s basketball,” continues Forbes. “We’re excited to work with the Toronto Tempo to make this vision a reality.”
About Toronto Tempo
The Toronto Tempo is the WNBA’s first team based in Canada, owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures. The team will begin play in the 2026 season as the WNBA’s 14th franchise. Sephora Canada and CIBC are the team’s first announced founding partners.
Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures, is a 30-year veteran of building championship-caliber teams. He is also Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors and Chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, MLS’ Toronto FC, and other professional sports franchises.
Get Ready for the Toronto Tempo’s 2026 Season
The Tempo will begin playing at the Coca-Cola Coliseum in 2026, and will also host regular-season games across Canada. More information about the team, including details on how to register for the Season Ticket Waitlist, is available at tempo.wnba.com.
| Key Partnerships | CIBC |
|---|---|
| Official Bank | CIBC |
| Founding Partners | Sephora Canada |
CIBC’s partnership with the Toronto Tempo is a significant milestone in the team’s history.
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