ESPN has greenlit a brand-new four-part documentary series called “Setting the Tempo,” which will chronicle the launch of the Toronto Tempo, Canada’s first-ever WNBA franchise. According to Laughing Place, the series comes with a remarkable group of executive producers: Robin Roberts, Serena Williams, Ryan Reynolds, Masai Ujiri, and Lilly Singh.
A Landmark Moment For Canadian Basketball
The Toronto Tempo represents a historic milestone for the WNBA and for Canadian women’s sports. As the league’s first Canadian franchise, the Tempo’s debut season is already a story of national significance north of the border. A four-part documentary series capturing the team’s launch gives ESPN a prestige sports doc project with built-in cultural stakes on both sides of the border.
A Star-Studded Producing Team
The executive producer lineup is as impressive as any in recent sports documentary history. Robin Roberts, the longtime Good Morning America anchor and ABC News correspondent, brings her journalism credibility and deep sports background to the project. Serena Williams is the greatest tennis player of all time and one of the most powerful voices in women’s sports advocacy. Ryan Reynolds, who co-owns Wrexham AFC and has become one of the most prominent celebrity sports owners of his generation, adds significant entertainment industry reach. Masai Ujiri, president of the Toronto Raptors and one of the most respected basketball executives in the world, provides the basketball operations perspective. And Lilly Singh, the Canadian comedian and media personality, grounds the project in the Toronto community. Williams, Ujiri, and Singh are all part of the Tempo ownership group.
ESPN’s Growing Documentary Slate
“Setting the Tempo” adds to ESPN’s robust documentary programming, which has produced some of the most celebrated sports films and series of the past decade. The series is directed by acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Kathleen Jayme and will stream on ESPN, which is part of The Walt Disney Company’s sports and entertainment portfolio. A premiere date has not yet been announced.
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