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 soon

Tyler 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