Set The Tempo

The wait is over — the Toronto Tempo officially tip off their first WNBA season.In Episode 11 of Set The Tempo, Tyler Conium previews the 2026 season, breaks down the roster, and sets expectations ahead of Opening Night vs the Washington Mystics.This also marks the final preseason episode — with daily postgame shows starting immediately.🚨 In this episode:🏀 Opening Night Is HERE* Toronto Tempo vs Washington Mystics (May 8)📊 Toronto Tempo Season Preview* Why Toronto chose to compete instead of rebuild🔥 The Big 3 (Core Players)* Marina Mabry → primary scoring option* Brittney Sykes → elite defender + attacker* Julie Allemand → X-factor playmaker (EuroLeague star)🌟 Kiki Rice Impact (Rookie Watch)* Why she could contribute immediately🧠 Key Questions for 2026* Can the offense avoid too much ISO play?* Will the lack of frontcourt depth hurt them?* Can supporting players overperform?📉 Strengths vs WeaknessesStrengths:* Elite guard play* Veteran leadership* High basketball IQConcerns:* Frontcourt depth* Three-point shooting consistency* Injury risk (Sabally, depth pieces)📅 Schedule Highlights* Opening Night vs Mystics* June 3: Brondello returns to New York* July 10: Montreal game (national expansion push)* July 20: A’ja Wilson & Aces visit Canada* Aug 18: Caitlin Clark comes to Toronto🎙️ NEW FORMAT ANNOUNCEMENT🚨 Starting now:Postgame episodes after EVERY Toronto Tempo game44 games → 44 episodes (plus extras)This is the start of something big — for Toronto and for the WNBA.🎧 Follow for daily coverage📲 @TylerConium🇨🇦 Canada’s WNBA team begins NOWLet’s Set The Tempo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

🚨 In this episode:🎥 Media Day = “It’s Real Now”* First full look at players in uniform🌆 Toronto Is Showing OUT* Players already feeling the love from fans🏀 Training Camp Battles & Rotation* Sandy Brondello targeting a tight 9-player rotation⚡ Positionless Basketball?* Tempo leaning into fast-paced, versatile play📊 Year 1 Expectations: PLAYOFFS?* Coaching staff says the goal is to compete immediately🧠 Culture & Identity (Sandy Brondello)* Player-first coaching philosophy🇨🇦 Adapting to Toronto* Players embracing the city, culture & fanbase🌟 Kiki Rice Mentality* First thing she did in Toronto? Found a gym⏳ Preseason begins NOW🏀 Regular season tips off May 8🎧 New episodes every Tuesday📲 Follow @TylerConium🇨🇦 Canada’s WNBA team starts hereLet’s Set The Tempo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

The Toronto Tempo are officially on the floor.Training camp is underway, the roster is taking shape, and expectations are starting to build ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.In Episode 9 of Set The Tempo, Tyler Conium breaks down everything from early training camp storylines to the franchise’s long-term vision — including a massive new facility announcement.🚨 In this episode:🏀 Training Camp Begins (First Look at the Tempo)* First-ever Toronto Tempo training camp at University of Toronto🌟 Kiki Rice Early Buzz* Why she’s already looking like the face of the franchise🇨🇦 Kia Nurse’s Role (Beyond the Box Score)* Leadership and mentorship for a new franchise🏗️ $100M Training Facility Announcement* State-of-the-art facility coming by 2028📊 Toronto Tempo Expectations for 2026* Why this team is NOT thinking like an expansion team⏳ Season Tip-Off: May 8🏀 Daily game recaps begin once the season starts🎧 New episodes every Tuesday📲 Follow @TylerConium🇨🇦 Canada’s WNBA team starts hereLet’s Set The Tempo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

The Toronto Tempo have their franchise player.In Episode 8 of Set The Tempo, Tyler Conium reacts to the WNBA Draft, breaks down the selection of Kiki Rice at #6 overall, and analyzes how the Tempo roster is shaping up just weeks before the 2026 season.🚨 In this episode:🏀 Kiki Rice = Face of the Franchise* Why Kiki Rice was the perfect pick at #6* NCAA Champion + elite leadership pedigree* Why she could be Toronto’s point guard for the next decade* Comparing her impact to early Raptors-era stars😳 Draft Shock: Chicago Passes on Kiki Rice* Why the Chicago Sky taking Gabriela Jaquez changed EVERYTHING* How Toronto capitalized on a massive opportunity* Biggest surprises from the WNBA Draft🔥 Full WNBA Draft Breakdown* Azzi Fudd goes #1 to Dallas* Olivia Miles, Awafam, Lauren Betts highlights* Seattle loading up with Flau’jae Johnson* Winners & losers across the league🇨🇦 Kia Nurse Signs with Toronto* What she brings (leadership, culture, marketability)* Why expectations should be tempered on-court* Veteran presence vs production debate📊 Toronto Tempo Depth Chart (Early Look)* Projected starters:* Julie Allemand* Marina Mabrey* Brittney Sykes* Nyara Sabally* (Center still TBD)* Where Kiki Rice fits immediately* Biggest concern: frontcourt depth📈 Can Toronto Compete Right Away?* Why this team is built to push for a playoff spot* Expansion team strategy: win now vs rebuild* What still needs to happen before opening nightThe Toronto Tempo are almost fully built — and the foundation looks strong.🎧 New episodes every Tuesday📲 Follow @TylerConium🏀 Daily recaps once the season beginsLet’s Set The Tempo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

The Toronto Tempo finally have a roster — and it might be better than expected.In Episode 7 of Set The Tempo, Tyler Conium breaks down the full expansion draft results, reacts to the shocking Angel Reese trade, and looks ahead to the WNBA Draft where Toronto holds the #6 pick.🚨 In this episode:🏀 Toronto Tempo Expansion Draft REACTION* Why the draft “could have been an email”🔥 Core Roster Breakdown* Julie Allemand as the franchise floor general* Marina Mabrey as the go-to scorer* Nyara Sabally anchoring the frontcourt* Why this roster is built to compete immediately📈 Can Toronto Make the Playoffs Year 1?* Why tanking makes ZERO sense in the WNBA🚨 Angel Reese TRADE Reaction🎯 WNBA Mock Draft Preview (Top 6 Focus)📅 Upcoming🎥 LIVE WNBA Draft Reaction (Tentative)📍 Follow @TylerConium for updates🎧 New episodes every Tuesday📲 Available on Spotify & Apple🏀 Toronto Tempo coverage all seasonLet’s Set The Tempo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

The WNBA Expansion Draft is here — and the Toronto Tempo are about to build their first-ever roster.In Episode 6 of Set The Tempo, Tyler Conium breaks down everything you need to know before Friday’s draft, plus a massive ownership announcement that changes the future of the franchise.Masai Ujiri Joins Toronto Tempo* What his presence means for building a winning franchise🏀 Expansion Draft Preview (April 1–6)* Why Toronto chose the #1 pick in the entry draft over expansion priority🤔 Strategy: Build Fast or Build Smart?* Should Toronto go after stars like Arike Ogunbowale?👀 Potential Targets & Mock Draft Insights* Canadian options: Kia Nurse vs Bridget Carleton📊 Key Expansion Rules to Know* 5 protected players per team🎥 LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT📅 Friday (Expansion Draft Day)🕒 3:00–3:30 PM ETTyler will be LIVE on YouTube reacting to every pick as the Toronto Tempo build their first roster in franchise history.The offseason is over.The Toronto Tempo are officially becoming a real team.🎧 New episodes every Tuesday📲 Follow @TylerConium🏀 Live reactions + daily content coming soonLet’s Set The Tempo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

The WNBA’s new CBA is officially ratified — and now the real chaos begins.In Episode 5 of Set The Tempo, Tyler Conium breaks down what happens next as the league races toward the 2026 season tip-off on May 8.With the business side nearly settled, the focus finally shifts to basketball, roster building, and expansion strategy.In this episode:🚨 CBA Officially Done* What ratification means for the league moving forward* Salary cap jump: $1.5M → $7M+* Supermax contracts ($1.4M) and roster construction challenges🌆 Expansion is BOOMING* Cleveland officially joining the WNBA (2028 debut)* Expansion fees skyrocketing: $50M → $250M* What this says about the growth of women’s sports💰 Superteams vs Depth* Can teams like the New York Liberty keep their “Big 3”?* Why the WNBA middle class may disappear* The new reality of cap management🇨🇦 Toronto Tempo Outlook* Why tanking makes no sense for an expansion team* How Toronto could land a star immediately* Building a contender from Day 1📊 Rookie Salary Explosion* #1 pick now earns ~$500K (up from ~$80K)* Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers salary jumps* How rookie contracts reshape team-building⏳ What Happens Next (FAST)* Expansion Draft: April 1–6* 100+ free agents* WNBA Draft: April 13* Training Camp: 1 month awayThis is the beginning of a new era for the WNBA — and the most chaotic offseason in league history.🎧 New episodes every Tuesday📲 Follow @TylerConium🏀 Daily recaps once the season startsLet’s Set The Tempo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

The WNBA finally has a new CBA agreement in place — and it changes everything.In Episode 4 of Set The Tempo, Tyler Conium breaks down the massive financial shift coming to the league and what happens next as we race toward the 2026 season.With the deal framework agreed upon (pending ratification), the WNBA is entering a new era:💰 Salary cap rising from $1.5M → $7M (and beyond $10M)💰 Supermax contracts jumping to $1.4M💰 Average salaries increasing nearly 10x💰 Players finally earning a share of league revenueBut now comes the chaos…🏀 What happens next:* Two expansion drafts (Toronto Tempo & Portland)* 100+ free agents hitting the market* WNBA Draft (April 13)* Training camp (1 month away)* Season tip-off: May 8, 2026🔥 Key discussion points:* Why this is a massive win for players* How revenue sharing changes the future of the WNBA* Why stars like A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum & Breanna Stewart are about to reshape the league* How expansion teams like Toronto Tempo could immediately become contenders* Why this could be the most chaotic offseason in WNBA historyThis is the moment the WNBA has been building toward.👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes (Tuesdays)👉 Daily game reactions once the season startsLet’s Set The Tempo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

In Episode 3 of Set The Tempo, Tyler Conium breaks down the latest WNBA CBA proposal, what it means for max contracts, and why this moment could define the future of women’s basketball.With a potential work stoppage looming, the league has introduced a proposal that could:* Fast-track max contracts for stars like Caitlin Clark* Raise the salary cap from $1.4M to $5.75M* Increase average salaries from $120K to $540K* Create a new revenue-sharing structureBut the biggest debate remains: gross revenue vs. net revenue sharing.Tyler explains:* Why fans follow players — not owners* Why Caitlin Clark is a “gateway drug” to women’s sports* What Kelsey Plum and Brianna Stewart are saying about negotiations* Why Unrivaled’s success strengthens player leverage* Why a strike would hurt both sides — especially expansion cities like TorontoPlus:* What this means for the Toronto Tempo* Why women’s basketball doesn’t need to be the NBA to succeed* Why this is a turning point for the WNBA🎧 Subscribe on Apple & Spotify📲 Follow Tyler @TylerConium🏀 New episodes every Tuesday (game-night recaps during season)Let’s Set The Tempo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

In Episode 2 of Set the Tempo, host Tyler Conium runs through Round 1 of the latest ESPN WNBA Mock Draft and breaks down what it could mean for the Toronto Tempo’s first-ever draft selection—with Toronto and Portland projected to pick 6th and 7th (coin flip).With the WNBA CBA still looming over the offseason (no expansion draft, no free agency yet), Tyler shifts the focus to what we can talk about right now: draft projections, prospect fits, and how Toronto can build a foundation fast.🏀 What’s inside:* Why the CBA delay is slowing everything: expansion draft, free agency, roster building* Round 1 mock draft walkthrough + quick scouting notes* Projected No. 1: UConn guard Azzi Fudd and what she brings* Key lottery names: Olivia Miles, Lauren Betts, Flau’jae Johnson* Expansion context: why Toronto/Portland are stuck outside the top 5* Toronto Tempo range (6/7): early fit talk + building around a scoring wing* International talent trend + why Spain/France prospects are popping in mocks* What Tyler wants next: CBA resolution → expansion draft → free agency → real Toronto-specific roster talk⏭️ Next episode:More draft + Tempo roster direction as we get closer to March Madness—assuming the CBA doesn’t drop another bomb.🎧 Subscribe on Spotify / Apple Podcasts and follow Tyler on socials: @TylerConium This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

Welcome to Set the Tempo, a Toronto Tempo–focused WNBA podcast hosted by Tyler Conium.In the debut episode, Tyler breaks down the biggest issue facing the WNBA right now: ongoing CBA negotiations and the very real possibility of a lockout or strike ahead of the 2026 season.With league expansion accelerating, star power at an all-time high, and Toronto preparing for its first season, this episode dives into why this moment is a turning point for the league—and why the players may hold more leverage than the league realizes.🔥 In this episode:* Why the WNBA’s current CBA talks are stalling—and what’s at stake* Revenue sharing, salary caps, and why transparency matters* Why players (not franchises) drive WNBA viewership* How stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu factor into league leverage* The impact a delayed season could have on expansion teams like Toronto Tempo and Portland* Why this moment mirrors historic turning points in other pro sports leagues* What happens next if negotiations don’t move soonTyler also lays out the vision for Set the Tempo:* Weekly offseason episodes covering CBA, free agency, expansion drafts, and the WNBA Draft* Game-by-game reaction episodes during the season, posted the morning after each game* A casual, fan-first approach for both longtime WNBA fans and newcomers🚨 Coming next week:Assuming no major CBA bombshells, we’ll begin breaking down WNBA mock drafts and what the Toronto Tempo could do with the 6th overall pick.If you care about the WNBA, the players, and where this league is headed—this is the place to be.👉 Subscribe, rate, and share👉 Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts👉 Let’s Set the Tempo This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com

Set The Tempo with Tyler Conium is a podcast dedicated to the Toronto Tempo and the rise of women’s basketball in Canada.From CBA negotiations and roster building to the expansion draft, WNBA Draft, and free agency, we break down every move shaping Toronto’s newest franchise.Once the season begins, tune in for fresh episodes after every game day, featuring game recaps, player performances, coaching decisions, and league-wide storylines that matter.Smart analysis. Real conversation. A Toronto perspective.This is where the Tempo begins. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thesqueezes.substack.com