Going Deep with Donnovan Bennett Sportsnet

The WNBA is adding another expansion franchise in 2026, and it's official: the W is coming to Toronto. Donnovan is joined by WNBA Toronto President Teresa Resch as they discuss what went into conversations with the league, how you capture new eyes for a league largely still new to Canada, and how the eventual (as-of-yet unchosen) name needs to represent the whole country (3:50). Afterwards, ESPN's LaChina Robinson stops by to share her thoughts on the new Toronto franchise, the 2024 crop of rookies (including the Caitlin Clark effect on the league as a whole), and her upcoming stint at the Paris Summer Olympics calling women's basketball for NBC (31:58).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Canada is one step closer to the launch of a domestic women's professional soccer league - we learned about Project 8 in years past, and it's now official: the Northern Super League will launch in 2025. Diana Matheson, CEO and co-founder of Project 8 and two-time Olympic medallist with Team Canada women's national soccer team, joined Donnovan to discuss the announcement, the next steps for the league, the launch date of 2025, what logistics remain to figure out, and her thoughts on Team Canada ahead of the Summer Olympics.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jesse Marsch has been named the new head coach of Canada Soccer's men's national team - what are expectations like for Team Canada now? Donnovan is joined by OneSoccer's Kristian Jack to break down the move from Canada Soccer, including why it was important to get done prior to the Copa America tournament. They also discuss the future for Team Canada at the Olympics and the World Cup, the latest from both the MLS and CPL, and take a look at Donnovan's beloved Three Lions. Plus, Kristian shares some fun memories of his colleague Darren Dutchyshen, who recently passed away at the age of 57. Afterwards, Donnovan and Cabbie discuss another episode of CBC's Ultimate Challenge.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

The WNBA is finally coming to Toronto, as per reports from CBC's Shireen Ahmed. Donnovan invites Shireen to discuss being a news-breaker, how the chase went down, and what it means for the WNBA to open its doors in Toronto.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Donnovan is joined in-studio by a pair of old friends: Sportsnet's Cabral Richards and KiSS 92.5's Shemroy Parkinson. Donnovan, Cabbie & Shem remember Canadian sports broadcaster and SportsCentre host Darren Dutchyshen, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 57, as Cabbie shares some memories of working directly with Darren earlier in his career. They also dive into Netflix being in the news often these days, as they will be broadcasting Christmas NFL games, and ponied up for The Roast of Tom Brady - do the NFL and NBA have anything in common anymore? Plus, what did the Tom Brady roast achieve, and were any lines crossed? Afterwards, Cabbie sticks around with Donnovan for another review of CBC's Ultimate Challenge.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

With this year's Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award on the verge of being handed out - an honour given to the individual who, through the sport of hockey, has positively impacted their community, culture, or society - Donnovan chats with the three Canadian finalists ahead of the June ceremony. Toronto's Mark DeMontis (3:27), Hamilton's Allen Hierlihy (18:24), and Vancouver's Mark Burgin (27:28), all stop by to discuss their love of hockey, what led them to this point, and what it means to be a finalist.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.