ESPN greenlights – ESPN has approved a four-part docuseries, “Setting The Tempo,” focused on how the Toronto Tempo built Canada’s first WNBA team. Serena Williams, Ryan Reynolds and Robin Roberts are among the executive producers, as the series follows the franchise’s early rost
For weeks, the Toronto Tempo have been trying to find their rhythm on the court. Now, the team’s earliest, hardest work is headed to television.
ESPN announced Monday morning that it has greenlit a four-part docuseries, “Setting The Tempo.” The project will examine how Canada’s first WNBA team was built from the ground up, with a behind-the-scenes lineup that includes Serena Williams and Ryan Reynolds.
Williams. Masai Ujiri and Lilly Singh are all part of the Tempo ownership group. and they are credited as executive producers on the series. Also listed are Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts, along with Ujiri and Singh. The docuseries will be directed by Kathleen Jayme. whose previous directing credits include the ESPN 30 for 30 film. “I’m Just Here for the Riot.”.
Roberts’ involvement adds a familiar thread for viewers who have followed her basketball-adjacent work. This is the second women’s basketball adjacent project from her company Rock’n Robin Productions this year. “Breaking Glass: The Pat Summitt Story” debuted on Hulu in March.
In a statement. Roberts said. “As someone who has loved women’s basketball and had the privilege of being part of the WNBA’s story since the very beginning. this project feels incredibly special. ” she continued. “The launch of the Toronto Tempo represents a defining moment for the league and for women’s sports in Canada. This series captures the passion. pressure and purpose behind building a franchise from the ground up. while shining a light on the women leading the way and shaping the future of the game.”.
The heart of the series is expected to be the Tempo’s early football—except this franchise was built in a hurry. through hard choices and constant deadlines. The docuseries will spotlight head coach Sandy Brondello and general manager Monica Wright Rogers as they tried to evaluate talent and shape a team culture in the short window the Tempo had to get ready for the WNBA season.
That timeline mattered because it unfolded alongside major league upheaval. After a long standoff between players and owners, the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement was approved on March 24. An expansion draft for the Tempo and Portland Fire followed just 10 days later. Then the college draft came 10 days after that—while free agency was happening at the same time.
In the middle of that compressed schedule. Team president Teresa Resch and players including Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey are also expected to be prominently featured. Both Sykes and Mabrey are making north of $1 million this season. a figure tied to increased salaries achieved through the lengthy CBA negotiations.
ESPN has not yet announced when the series will debut or which platforms it will be available on.
Even before the docuseries arrives, the Tempo’s on-court work has already become a storyline. Led by Sykes and Mabrey. Toronto is 7-7 so far this season. with both guards averaging more than 17 points per game. The team’s first-ever draft pick—UCLA’s Kiki Rice—has also stood out as a rookie. averaging 12.7 points. 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 53% from the floor.
Behind the camera, the production credits reflect how closely the project ties basketball to mainstream entertainment. Williams’ production company. Nine Two Six Productions. has produced the ESPN+ series “In The Arena” and a film about Althea Gibson. the first Black tennis player to win a Grand Slam event. Nine Two Six is also adapting the novel “Carrie Soto Is Back” for Netflix.
Reynolds’ production company, Maximum Effort, has worked with the actor on projects including “Welcome to Wrexham,” “Deadpool & Wolverine,” and a recent documentary about the late comedian John Candy released on Amazon Prime.
ESPN Toronto Tempo WNBA docuseries Setting The Tempo Serena Williams Ryan Reynolds Robin Roberts Masai Ujiri Lilly Singh Kathleen Jayme Sandy Brondello Monica Wright Rogers Brittney Sykes Marina Mabrey Kiki Rice WNBA collective bargaining agreement
Wait so it’s ESPN like… about basketball but also Netflix vibes? idk.
Ryan Reynolds?? I’m shocked they’re putting him on a sports doc. Toronto Tempo sounds like a subway line lol. Hopefully it actually talks about the players and not just rich owners.
Masai Ujiri being involved makes sense but I swear this is just like the WNBA is “coming to Canada” again. Like didn’t they already try that? Serena as exec producer feels kinda random tho. Also the article says “earliest, hardest work is headed to television” but that’s all it said… what even happens?
Robin Roberts executive producing is the only reason I’d watch, because she always has a story. But I got confused reading it—does it mean it’s about the Toronto Tempo building the first WNBA team in Canada or first team in general? Either way, Kathleen Jayme directing makes me think it’s gonna be emotional and a little boring at the same time. ESPN loves these 4-part series for sure.