Sports
Christine Sinclair Will Join Vancouver Rise FC Ownership Group
Vancouver Rise FC announced on Monday that global soccer icon Christine Sinclair will join the club’s ownership group ahead of the inaugural Northern Super League (NSL) season. The hometown hero will join majority owner Greg Kerfoot on the Vancouver Rise FC ownership team.
The Canadian superstar is expected to visit BC Place, likely her last professional game in Canada, on Tuesday, October 15 when the Vancouver Whitecaps FC League1 BC women’s team hosts National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Portland Thorns in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Tickets remain available at ticketmaster.ca/whitecaps.
“Growing up in Burnaby, I would have never imagined becoming an owner of a professional women’s soccer club in my hometown,” said Sinclair. “I want every little girl in British Columbia and Canada to be inspired to play or coach or manage – see the opportunity for women in sport. I’m so excited to be a part of this movement, and to be able to share my passion to help this club grow.”
On the international level, Sinclair is the highest scoring player in history, male or female, with an incredible 190 international goals. Her 23 years playing for Canada included 331 matches, six FIFA World Cups and four Summer Olympic Games, winning the gold medal in 2021 and the bronze medal in 2012 and 2016.
“There are few names in the history of Canadian sport, and the history of soccer, as big as Christine Sinclair,” added Stephanie Labbé, Vancouver Rise FC sporting director. “She has made an unmatched impact on the sporting landscape in Canada, inspiring millions of people across the country. We are thrilled that she has taken an ownership role with our club to make an equally large impact on the future of the game. We have won gold together and now we are both excited to take this next journey together in Canada with Vancouver Rise FC.”
Sinclair recently announced that she would retire from playing at the end of her current season with Portland Thorns. She has been pivotal in each of the Thorns six trophies, including NWSL Championships in 2013, 2017, and 2022.
“We are thrilled to have Christine officially join our club,” said Sinead King, Vancouver Rise FC president. “Her unparalleled experience as a professional player, combined with a deep connection to our community, makes this partnership truly special. This collaboration underscores our commitment to elevating women’s soccer and solidifying Vancouver Rise FC as a key player on both the national and international stage.”
Prior to playing in the NWSL, Sinclair was a force for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the former USL W-League, recording 23 goals and 10 assists in 21 appearances. This included the 2006 season, where she led the team with 12 goals and four assists during an undefeated season that culminated with winning the W-League championship at Swangard Stadium.
Sports
Toronto Tempo Could Make WNBA Attendance History in Montreal
The Toronto Tempo are on the verge of making WNBA history when they bring their Cross-Canada Series to Montreal next month.
The Tempo will face the Atlanta Dream at the Bell Centre on July 10, with the possibility of setting a new attendance record for a WNBA game. If the game sells out, more than 22,000 fans would fill the arena, surpassing the current WNBA regular-season attendance record of 20,711 set by the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena in 2024.
A packed Bell Centre would also eclipse the WNBA playoff attendance record of 22,076, which was established during Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals between the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks before being matched in Game 5 of the 2007 WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Detroit Shock. It would mark the largest crowd ever for a professional women’s basketball regular-season game, breaking the previous record of 21,490 set during an Unrivaled game in Philadelphia earlier this year.
The potential milestone comes during the Tempo‘s inaugural WNBA season and would add another chapter to the continued growth of women’s basketball in Canada.
“Playing two games in Montreal this summer is a huge moment for the Tempo and for basketball in Canada,” said Tempo President Teresa Resch. “From the beginning, we’ve said we want to be Canada’s team, and bringing the WNBA to Montreal is an important part of that vision. There is such a strong and passionate basketball community in Quebec, and we’re excited to connect with fans there in a meaningful way. We can’t wait to experience the energy inside the Bell Centre and continue growing the game across the country together.”
The Cross-Canada Series will offer more than basketball. Throughout the weekend, the Tempo will host community events, youth programs and fan experiences aimed at growing the sport across Quebec.
The team is partnering with Ball Her Way and the Mathurin Family Foundation to increase access to basketball for young athletes, including a girls’ 3-on-3 tournament presented by Canadian Tire featuring teams from Montreal and Quebec City. The Tempo say more community investments and programming in the Montreal area will be announced in the coming months.
Fans can take part in Tempo Live at the Bell Centre on July 11. The free event will include interactive basketball activities, community clinics, exclusive merchandise and family-friendly entertainment.
The weekend concludes on July 12, when the Tempo host the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty at the Bell Centre at 3 p.m. ET as part of the Cross-Canada Series.
Tickets for both Montreal games are available through Ticketmaster.
Sports
Toronto Tempo Unveil Bold “Rebel” Uniform Ahead of Inaugural Home Opener
The Toronto Tempo have revealed their new “Rebel” edition uniform, giving fans a first look at the alternate jersey the team will wear during its inaugural WNBA season.
The unveiling comes just ahead of the Tempo’s first-ever home opener and marks another milestone for the league’s newest franchise as it continues to establish its identity on and off the court.
The Rebel uniform is part of the WNBA’s league-wide alternate jersey program, which encourages each franchise to create a design that reflects its values, community, and culture. For the Tempo, that vision extends beyond Toronto.
The front of the jersey features “Tempo” across the chest, reinforcing the organization’s message that, while the club calls Toronto home, it represents basketball fans across Canada. The design is centered around the team’s secondary “T” logo, with speed lines extending outward to symbolize movement, pace, and the style of play the Tempo hope to bring to the court.
The uniform is finished in Borealis Blue, offering a cool contrast to the team’s signature Tempo Bordeaux colour. Flowing lines throughout the shorts are meant to capture the rhythm and motion of basketball, creating a look that emphasizes speed and constant movement.
The jersey also highlights two of the franchise’s founding partners. Beauty retailer Sephora appears on the shoulder, while CIBC’s logo is featured on the front of the jersey.
“The Rebel uniform is where we push boundaries and fully express who we are as the Toronto Tempo,” said Whitney Bell, the team’s Chief Marketing Officer, in a statement. “It’s bold, unapologetic, and rooted in the energy of our city. Every detail is designed to celebrate individuality, creativity, and the next generation of athletes and fans redefining the game. This jersey isn’t just something you wear—it’s a statement about where we’re going.”
Fans won’t have to wait long to get their own. The Toronto Tempo’s Rebel jersey is available now through the team’s online store (shop.torontotempo.com) as excitement continues to build for the franchise’s first season in the WNBA.