Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson is stepping into women’s basketball. The Toronto Tempo announced that Molson, along with Canadiens executive France Margaret Bélanger, has joined the ownership group of Canada’s first WNBA franchise.
Tennis legend Serena Williams is also part of the group, bringing her expertise and global profile to the team.
Can Montreal Canadiens Leaders Make a Difference for the Tempo?
The Tempo will hit the court in 2026, mainly in Toronto, but two regular-season games are already planned for Montreal’s Bell Centre. Fans in the city will get a chance to see professional women’s basketball up close.
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Molson, who runs the Canadiens and Groupe CH, called the move exciting on both a personal and professional level.
“I am truly honoured and thankful to join the WNBA’s expansion in Toronto, alongside an inspiring ownership group, which includes sports and business leaders such as Serena Williams and Larry Tanenbaum,” he said, adding that he has long loved basketball and believes in the growth of women’s sports.
France Margaret Bélanger, who oversees the Canadiens’ entertainment operations, also joined the group. She said the partnership is about more than just basketball.
“This commitment represents not only a privilege to be part of a movement that goes beyond the game, but also a unique opportunity to support and elevate women’s sports across Canada,” she noted. Montreal’s fans, she added, will welcome the league enthusiastically.
Serena Williams’ Role With the Tempo
Williams, a global sports icon, will have an active hand in the team’s growth. “This moment is not just about basketball; it is about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes,” she said.
“I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity,” Williams added. She plans to help shape the team’s visual identity, including jerseys and merchandise.
Tempo president Teresa Resch praised her, saying, “She’s the greatest athlete of all time, and her impact on this team and this country is going to be incredible. She’s set the bar for women in sport, business and the world – and her commitment to using that success to create opportunities for other women is inspiring.”
Molson and Bélanger join an ownership roster that includes Williams, Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Lilly Singh, and Larry Tanenbaum. Together, they hope to make the Tempo more than just Toronto’s team, aiming for a national impact.
Montreal’s inclusion is part of a bigger plan. Bélanger recalled how Raptors preseason games at the Bell Centre sold out in minutes, proving the city’s appetite for basketball. The Tempo hopes to replicate that energy with games in Montreal and Vancouver.
With Kilmer Sports Ventures backing the franchise and the Canadiens’ leadership in place, the Tempo gains credibility, visibility, and a solid foundation. For fans, it’s a chance to see Canada’s most famous hockey brand step confidently into women’s professional basketball.
