{"id":624133,"date":"2026-05-05T03:23:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T03:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/624133\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T03:23:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T03:23:09","slug":"how-new-fans-can-bet-on-the-wnba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/624133\/","title":{"rendered":"How New Fans Can Bet on the WNBA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Photo By &#8211; Reuters Connect. Toronto Tempo guard Kia Nurse (11) poses for a photo after the game with teammates.<\/p>\n<p>The WNBA\u2019s newest expansion team tips off on Friday, May 8, and for a lot of Canadian basketball fans, the Toronto Tempo will be their first real entry point into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/wnba\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">WNBA<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>That makes this season different.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re not just learning a new team. You\u2019re learning a new league, a new betting market, and a new set of angles that don\u2019t always translate from the Toronto Raptors or the NBA.<\/p>\n<p>This guide breaks down how to bet on the WNBA, what Tempo fans should watch for, and how bettors can make the most of their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/picks\/wnba\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">WNBA picks<\/a> throughout the team\u2019s inaugural season.<\/p>\n<p>Toronto Tempo picks &amp; prediction<\/p>\n<p>The Toronto Tempo enter their first season with wide-ranging expectations across betting markets, creating potential value for bettors who move early.<\/p>\n<p>Market<br \/>\nOdds<br \/>\nOutlook<\/p>\n<p>Championship<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" class=\"oddsCell oddsCell-bestOdds\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">+10000<\/a><br \/>\nLongshot, but price could move quickly if Toronto starts strong.<\/p>\n<p>Win Total<br \/>\nOver 15.5 <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" class=\"oddsCell oddsCell-bestOdds\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">-130<\/a><br \/>\nOne of the softer markets for expansion teams.<\/p>\n<p>To make the Playoffs<br \/>\nYes <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" class=\"oddsCell oddsCell-bestOdds\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">+275<\/a><br \/>\nUpside play if early chemistry clicks.<\/p>\n<p>MVP (Marina Mabrey)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" class=\"oddsCell oddsCell-bestOdds\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">+15000<\/a><br \/>\nMore of a market signal than a betting target.<\/p>\n<p>Rookie of the Year (Kiki Rice)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" class=\"oddsCell oddsCell-bestOdds\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">+1000<\/a><br \/>\nOne of the most actionable early-season markets.<\/p>\n<p>Odds updated as of 5-4, courtesy of bet365, one of our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">best betting sites<\/a>. Sign up with our <a target=\"_blank\" url=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/bonuses\/bet365-bonus-code\" href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/bonuses\/bet365-bonus-code\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">bet365 promo code<\/a>, or get one of our other <a target=\"_blank\" url=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/bonuses\" href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/bonuses\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">sportsbook promos<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=covers.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"googleLink border-0 bg-lighter rounded-2 py-2 px-3 d-flex gap-2 justify-content-between align-items-center mb-5\" data-linkcont=\"Article-Google-Preferences-Click\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1777951389_62_google-preferred-source-badge.png\" width=\"102\" height=\"36\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/a>What new Toronto Tempo fans need to know about the WNBA<\/p>\n<p>Before you can bet on the WNBA, it helps to understand how the league is structured.<\/p>\n<p>The WNBA is a 15-team league with a 44-game regular season running from May through September. The top eight teams \u2014 regardless of conference \u2014 advance to a three-round, bracket-style playoff beginning around September 27, 2026. Seeding is based on regular-season record, with a best-of-three first round, best-of-five semifinals, and a best-of-seven Finals.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/basketball\/wnba\/teams\/main\/toronto-tempo\/odds\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Toronto Tempo<\/a> will play a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tempo.wnba.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">national schedule<\/a> in their first season, with 15 home games at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, three at Scotiabank Arena, two at the Bell Centre in Montreal, and two more at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.<\/p>\n<p>For bettors, that matters. Travel, scheduling, and unfamiliar venues can all impact performance, especially for a new team still building chemistry.<\/p>\n<p>Toronto Tempo schedule: First 5 games<\/p>\n<p>The Toronto Tempo open their inaugural season with a challenging stretch that should quickly give bettors a feel for their pace, rotation, and overall identity.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a look at their first five games:<\/p>\n<p>May 8 vs. Washington Mystics \u2014 5:30 PM<br \/>\nMay 13 vs. Seattle Storm \u2014 5:00 PM<br \/>\nMay 15 at Los Angeles Sparks \u2014 8:00 PM<br \/>\nMay 17 at Los Angeles Sparks \u2014 5:00 PM<br \/>\nMay 19 at Phoenix Mercury \u2014 8:00 PM<\/p>\n<p>How to bet on the WNBA: Spreads, totals, and player props<\/p>\n<p>Betting on the WNBA might look complicated at first, but most markets are built around the same types of bets you&#8217;d find in other sports. Once you understand these, you&#8217;ll be able to read the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/basketball\/wnba\/odds\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">WNBA odds<\/a>, compare lines, and start spotting potential value.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>WNBA moneyline betting<\/p>\n<p>A moneyline bet is the simplest option. You need to pick which team will win the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>If the Toronto Tempo are listed at +140, a $100 bet would return $140 in profit. If they are -160, you would need to risk $160 to win $100.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Moneylines are easy to understand, but they&#8217;re not always the best place to find value, especially early in the season when teams are still being priced.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 If you\u2019re just picking winners without thinking about price, you\u2019re doing it wrong.<\/p>\n<p>WNBA spread betting<\/p>\n<p>The spread is designed to even out the matchup between two teams.<\/p>\n<p>If Toronto is +6.5, they can lose by six or fewer points and still cover. If they\u2019re -4.5, they need to win by five or more.<\/p>\n<p>For a new team like the Tempo, spreads can be volatile early. Sportsbooks are still figuring out how good the team is, and so is the market.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 This is where overreactions can create inflated numbers on both sides.<\/p>\n<p>Totals (Over\/Under)<\/p>\n<p>Totals are bets on the combined number of points scored in a game.<\/p>\n<p>If the total is 164.5:<\/p>\n<p>The Over hits at 165 or more<br \/>\nThe Under hits at 164 or fewer<\/p>\n<p>In the WNBA, totals are heavily influenced by pace, shot quality, and turnovers; all things that can fluctuate early in the season.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 If pace isn\u2019t priced correctly yet, totals can be one of the most exploitable markets.<\/p>\n<p>Player props<\/p>\n<p>Player props are bets on individual player statistics, like points, rebounds, assists, or made threes.<\/p>\n<p>This is where many bettors can find early-season value.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re new to betting the WNBA, this is where you should start \u2014 not spreads, not moneylines.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike spreads or totals, player props depend heavily on:<\/p>\n<p>Minutes<br \/>\nUsage<br \/>\nRole within the offense<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udca1If those things change faster than sportsbooks adjust, there can be a window where numbers are mispriced.<\/p>\n<p>Toronto Tempo betting angles: Futures, awards, markets to watch<\/p>\n<p>With a new team entering the league (two if you include Portland), futures and awards markets become especially interesting. Not because they are easy to predict, but because they can be mispriced early.<\/p>\n<p>For bettors, this is where long-term value can show up if you&#8217;re ahead of the market.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Toronto Tempo WNBA Championship and playoff odds<\/p>\n<p>Futures markets like &#8220;To win the title&#8221; and playoff odds are often driven by perception. And for an expansion team, that perception can swing quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Early in the season, this market is driven more by narrative than actual performance.<\/p>\n<p>If the Tempo start strong, their odds will shorten. If they struggle out of the gate, bettors may find value on longer prices, especially if underlying metrics suggest improvement.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 Betting angle: Don&#8217;t rush into futures. Watch the first few weeks and then decide if the price matches reality.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>WNBA MVP odds and star impact<\/p>\n<p>The MVP market in the WNBA is heavily tied to three things: usage, team success, and narrative.<\/p>\n<p>High-volume players on winning teams almost always dominate this race, which makes it a difficult market for expansion teams to break into early.<\/p>\n<p>For the Toronto Tempo, that likely keeps this market on the sidelines \u2014 at least to start the season. Unless one player emerges as a clear No. 1 option and the team outperforms expectations, MVP won\u2019t be a primary betting angle.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/basketball\/wnba\/players\/178738\/marina-mabrey\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Marina Mabrey<\/a> is currently listed as a longshot in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">+15000<\/a> range, which reflects how the market views both her role and Toronto\u2019s projected success.<\/p>\n<p>Rookie of the Year<\/p>\n<p>For expansion teams, Rookie of the Year can be one of the most actionable betting markets.<\/p>\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n<p>Because opportunity often matters more than talent early in a player\u2019s career, and new teams tend to hand out minutes faster than established contenders.<\/p>\n<p>That creates a window where rookies can put up volume stats before sportsbooks fully adjust.<\/p>\n<p>For the Toronto Tempo, that makes this one of the few award markets worth paying attention to early.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/basketball\/wnba\/players\/398293\/kiki-rice\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kiki Rice<\/a> is the rookie to watch. The No. 6 overall pick out of UCLA is currently sitting around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">+1000<\/a> to win Rookie of the Year, a price that reflects both her talent and expected opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>Season win totals and team-based futures<\/p>\n<p>Win totals can be one of the most difficult markets to price for expansion teams.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s very little baseline to go off of and no clear expectation.\u00a0That means numbers can be soft \u2014 especially before the season begins.<\/p>\n<p>Season win total: Over 15.5 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">-130<\/a>) | Under 15.5 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">+100<\/a>)<br \/>\nTo make the playoffs: Yes (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">+275<\/a>) | No (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/betting\/sportsbookredirect?vertical=betting&amp;location=editorial&amp;slug=bet365\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">-380<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udca1This is one of the few markets where having a strong early read can actually give you an edge over the sportsbook.<\/p>\n<p>Toronto Tempo roster\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/basketball\/wnba\/teams\/main\/toronto-tempo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Toronto Tempo roster<\/a> features a mix of experienced veterans, international talent, and young guards expected to handle early-season usage.<\/p>\n<p>Guards<\/p>\n<p>Kiki Rice (#1) \u2014 5&#8217;11&#8221; | UCLA<br \/>\nMarina Mabrey (#3) \u2014 5&#8217;11&#8221; | Notre Dame<br \/>\nKia Nurse (#11) \u2014 6&#8217;0&#8243; | UConn<br \/>\nLeilani Helo (#12) \u2014 5&#8217;10&#8221; | DePaul<br \/>\nAaliyah Nye (#13) \u2014 6&#8217;0&#8243; | Alabama<br \/>\nBrittney Sykes (#20) \u2014 5&#8217;9&#8243; | Syracuse<br \/>\nJulie Allemand (#22) \u2014 5&#8217;8&#8243; | Belgium<br \/>\nKitija Laksa (#33) \u2014 6&#8217;1&#8243; | South Florida<\/p>\n<p>Forwards<\/p>\n<p>Laura Juskait\u0117 (#2) \u2014 6&#8217;2&#8243; | Lithuania<br \/>\nTeonni Key (#7) \u2014 6&#8217;5&#8243; | Kentucky<br \/>\nNyara Sabally (#8) \u2014 6&#8217;4&#8243; | Oregon<br \/>\nMaria Conde (#10) \u2014 6&#8217;1&#8243; | Spain<br \/>\nIsabelle Harrison (#21) \u2014 6&#8217;3&#8243; | Tennessee<\/p>\n<p>Centers<\/p>\n<p>Temi Fagbenle (#14) \u2014 6&#8217;4&#8243; | Harvard<br \/>\nNikolina Mili\u0107 (#31) \u2014 6&#8217;3&#8243; | Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina<\/p>\n<p>Toronto Tempo projected starting lineup and depth chart<\/p>\n<p>Based on the current rotation and positional depth, here\u2019s a projected look at how the Toronto Tempo could line up to start the 2026 season:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udd39 Projected starting five<\/p>\n<p>PG \u2014 Marina Mabrey<br \/>\nSG \u2014 Brittney Sykes<br \/>\nSF \u2014 Kia Nurse<br \/>\nPF \u2014 Nyara Sabally<br \/>\nC \u2014 Temi Fagbenle<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udd39 Key rotation players<\/p>\n<p>Julie Allemand\u00a0<br \/>\nKiki Rice\u00a0<br \/>\nAaliyah Nye\u00a0<br \/>\nIsabelle Harrison\u00a0<br \/>\nMaria Conde <\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udd39 Depth \/ situational players<\/p>\n<p>Teonni Key<br \/>\nLaura Juskait\u0117<br \/>\nKitija Laksa\u00a0<br \/>\nAlexa Held<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udd39 Center depth note<\/p>\n<p>Toronto Tempo betting checklist<\/p>\n<p>Before placing a bet on a Toronto Tempo game, run through this quick checklist:<\/p>\n<p>Who is starting?<br \/>\nIs the pace fast or slow?<br \/>\nAre they on short rest or traveling?<br \/>\nAre player props aligned with minutes and usage?<br \/>\nHas the market overreacted to the last game?<br \/>\nIs this a better spot for props, totals, or spreads?<\/p>\n<p>Toronto Tempo betting guide: Final Thoughts<\/p>\n<p>The Toronto Tempo aren\u2019t just a new team, they\u2019re a new betting market.<\/p>\n<p>There will be uncertainty early in the season, and that creates both risk and opportunity. The bettors who take the time to track rotations, understand usage, and follow how the team actually plays will have the edge.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re new to the WNBA, start simple. Focus on props, watch how the Tempo develop, and don\u2019t rush into every bet.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 The edge doesn\u2019t come from betting more.<br \/>\ud83d\udc49 It comes from understanding the number better than the market.<\/p>\n<p>Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.<br \/>Not intended for use in MA.<br \/>Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.<\/p>\n<p>Toronto Tempo FAQ<\/p>\n<p>\n                    When do the Toronto Tempo play their first game?\n                <\/p>\n<p>The Toronto Tempo make their WNBA debut on May 8, kicking off their inaugural season.<\/p>\n<p>\n                    Are the Toronto Tempo expected to be good this season?\n                <\/p>\n<p>As an expansion team, expectations are modest early. The Tempo are currently priced as longshots in futures markets, but that uncertainty can create betting opportunities as the season develops.<\/p>\n<p>\n                    Who is the best Toronto Tempo player to watch?\n                <\/p>\n<p>Rookie Kiki Rice is one of the most interesting players early, especially with her role potentially impacting both player props and Rookie of the Year odds.<\/p>\n<p>\n                    Can you bet on Toronto Tempo futures?\n                <\/p>\n<p>Yes \u2014 you can bet on futures like championship odds, win totals, and awards. These markets can shift quickly once the season begins, especially for a new team.<\/p>\n<p>        Pages related to this topic<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Photo By &#8211; Reuters Connect. Toronto Tempo guard Kia Nurse (11) poses for a photo after the game&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":624134,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[99,434],"class_list":["post-624133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wnba","tag-sports","tag-wnba"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/624133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=624133"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/624133\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/624134"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=624133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=624133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=624133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}