Reetu Gupta Joins Toronto Tempo Ownership, Advancing Women’s Leadership in Canadian Sports

Reetu Gupta, award-winning CEO, philanthropist, and Ambassadress of The Gupta Group, has officially joined the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, cementing her role as the Toronto Tempo new WNBA owner Reetu Gupta. Canada’s first-ever WNBA franchise. Her entry into professional sports ownership comes at a defining moment for Canadian basketball, combining leadership, representation, and impact investing in a way that speaks to both cultural momentum and generational change.

A New Era of Representation in Sport

To begin with, the Toronto Tempo already carries enormous symbolic weight as the WNBA’s first franchise outside the United States. Set to debut in 2026, the team represents a major milestone in expanding women’s professional sports globally. Gupta’s ownership stake further elevates the moment, signalling that leadership roles in pro sports are open to women, and especially women of color, who have historically been sidelined from positions of influence.

Moreover, Gupta’s investment is firmly rooted in values. “The Toronto Tempo represents everything I believe in, leadership, inclusion, and legacy,” she said, framing her involvement as not just financial but transformational. For young Canadian fans and aspiring leaders, her presence in the ownership group reinforces the idea that women can shape sports from the top down.

Bringing Billion-Dollar Business Expertise to the WNBA

Gupta’s role is far more than symbolic. As CEO and Ambassadress of The Gupta Group, she oversees more than $1 billion in assets and has led the development of over 5 million square feet of mixed-use real estate. This background is hugely relevant to a modern sports franchise, where revenue often comes from broader ecosystems, arena districts, hospitality, branding, and long-term community development.

Through her leadership, The Gupta Group has evolved from a family-run business into a diversified enterprise spanning hospitality, real estate, and investment. This strategic expertise positions Gupta as a powerful addition to Tempo’s ownership team, capable of shaping not only operations but the franchise’s long-term vision.

Her influence is widely recognised; she is a two-time recipient of Canada’s Most Powerful Women award and was recently named Woman of the Year by Glory Media. These accolades reflect her commitment to purposeful, community-centred leadership.

Empowerment at Every Level: From Microfinance to Pro Sports

What truly sets Gupta apart is the consistency of her mission: advancing women’s empowerment in tangible, scalable ways. Her work spans continents and social sectors:

• She created a microfinance and mentorship program in Egypt to support women in starting their own businesses.

• She mentors young women across Canada, helping them build confidence and leadership skills.

• Her portfolio consistently centers on visibility, access, and opportunity for women.

In this context, joining the Toronto Tempo feels like a natural progression. The franchise gives her a global platform to amplify themes she’s championed for years: representation, ambition, and women succeeding on their own terms. “The Tempo will inspire generations of young women to see themselves as leaders, on the court, in business, and beyond,” she shared.

Expanding Impact Through Philanthropy and Culture

Beyond business and sports, Gupta remains deeply engaged in philanthropy and culture. She serves on the Board of the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, supporting cutting-edge medical research and care. This reflects a commitment to health equity that mirrors broader conversations around athlete wellness and community access.

She is also a major benefactor of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), reinforcing her belief in storytelling, artistic expression, and diverse voices. When combined with her new sports ownership role, a clear through-line emerges: Gupta invests in spaces where imagination, representation, and public visibility intersect.

An Author and Mentor Expanding Her Voice

Gupta also extends her impact through her writing. Her books:

• Auspicious (2023)

• Whispers of the Soul (2025)

Explore themes of purpose, courage, and authenticity. These works offer readers a deeper look at her philosophy, grounding her public leadership in introspection and humanity. For many, the books serve as an entry point into her message, whether or not they follow basketball or business.

Why Her Ownership Matters Now

Gupta’s role with the Toronto Tempo is meaningful on several levels:

• For Canada: It places a woman of color at the center of the country’s first WNBA franchise.

• For global leadership: It showcases a woman stepping into sports ownership, a field still dominated by men.

• For the WNBA: It aligns the league with an owner whose life’s work embodies empowerment, diversity, and purpose.

Ultimately, Gupta’s addition to Tempo’s ownership group is more than an announcement. It is a continuation of her mission to create generational ripple effects, demonstrating that when women lead boldly, entire communities benefit.