Toronto Tempo and EngageRM Announce Landmark Strategic Partnership
17 January 2025
Toronto, January 2025 – EngageRM, a global leader in sports and entertainment technology, is proud to announce a groundbreaking long-term strategic partnership with Toronto Tempo, Canada’s first WNBA team. The strategic partnership marks a significant step forward for both organizations and is EngageRM’s official entry into the Canadian market.
This collaboration will see EngageRM establish a dedicated Canadian entity, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the growth of sport, especially women’s basketball, in the region. The Tempo, who will enter the league in 2026, will leverage EngageRM’s full suite of technology solutions across ticketing, premium seating, partnerships, marketing, and data analytics to engage fans and partners, build their brand, and deliver a best-in-class experience for their community and stakeholders.
Ned Coten, EngageRM President and Executive Chairman, commented on the partnership:
“This is a pivotal moment for EngageRM and women’s sport. Having served as President of Basketball Australia and a Board Member of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), I’ve seen firsthand how the women’s game continues to grow in impact and audience engagement. We are thrilled to bring our expertise in data-driven fan engagement, partnerships, and premium experiences to Toronto Tempo and to help create lasting success for this historic team.”
Toronto Tempo’s Chief Financial Officer Patrick Lee is preparing for an impactful league entry. The WNBA’s rising popularity is evidenced by the league being named the fastest-growing brand in the United States in 2024.
“We’re building something extraordinary for Toronto and Canadian basketball” said Lee. “ Our partnership with EngageRM will enable us to engage fans and partners from day one and build an experience that resonates deeply with our community. EngageRM’s track record with NBA teams and venues speaks for itself, and we couldn’t be more excited to work alongside them.”
This partnership will also see EngageRM collaborate with leading industry partners such as Microsoft, Ticketmaster, and Fanatics, ensuring a holistic and innovative approach to fan engagement.
Tim Barber, EngageRM’s Chief Commercial Officer, who spearheaded the deal, added:
“We’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible organizations, from OVG’s Co-op Live to Intuit Dome and South East Melbourne Phoenix. But helping to build a WNBA team from the ground up is a unique and special opportunity. We look forward to being part of Toronto Tempo’s journey to become one of the WNBA’s most iconic teams.”
This engagement extends EngageRM’s already strong basketball credentials, working with NBA giants such as the LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, and New Orleans Pelicans.
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About EngageRM
EngageRM is a global leader in CRM, data management, and fan engagement solutions for sports and entertainment organizations. The company works with teams across the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, and global leagues to create tailored solutions that enhance customer experience and drive commercial outcomes.
About Toronto Tempo
In May 2024, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced its expansion into Canada by awarding Toronto an expansion team, the league’s first outside the United States. The new team, owned and operated by Kilmer Sports Ventures, will begin play in the 2026 season as the WNBA’s 14th franchise. Sephora Canada is the team’s first announced founding partner. Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures and a 30-year veteran of building championship-calibre teams, 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. Under his leadership, the Raptors won their first NBA championship in 2019.
