Turning Passion into a Platform for Women’s Sport: How Patrick Lee, CFO, CPA, CMA, Is Launching Canada’s Next Sports Legacy

Some opportunities only come once. Launching a professional sports team in your hometown is one of them.

For Patrick Lee, CPA, CMA, Chief Financial Officer of Toronto Tempo, helping to bring Canada’s first WNBA franchise to life is more than a career milestone. It is the culmination of a lifelong love of basketball, made possible by a long career in sports management combined with his CPA designation.

Patrick was in grade five when the Raptors arrived in Toronto. That moment sparked a lifelong love of basketball and changed the direction of his life. Today, Patrick is helping to build a team that will shape the next generation of Canadian fans, players and leaders.

"It's exciting to be part of something from the beginning," Patrick says. "The goal is to build an organization that will be successful for a long time and my CPA designation enabled me to do that."

Pursue Your Passions with the CPA Designation

Patrick didn't start his career with a detailed plan to work in professional sports. He simply knew two things: he loved sports, and accounting was one of his strengths. Pursuing the CPA designation gave him a practical foundation while keeping his career options open.

"I always knew I wanted to work in sports, but I wasn't sure exactly what that path looked like," Patrick says. “The CPA designation opened doors, and gave me skills that are valuable in any industry."

The CPA designation was the gateway to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), where he spent nearly 17 years learning how elite sports organizations operate from the inside. Working in finance, with various departments ticketing, partnerships, venues and operations, Patrick developed a full-picture understanding of the business of professional sports, while sharpening his business fluency and professional judgement.

“The CPA designation gives you options you may never have considered," he says. "It teaches you how to think through problems, make decisions and understand how organizations work."

From Championship Organization to the Start-up Mentality

Patrick's time at MLSE included working with the Toronto Raptors during their 2019 NBA Championship season. While he wasn't on the court sinking three pointers, he was part of the organization behind the scenes that supported the team's success and was recognized as the MLSE MVP in 2019 for his contributions to the team.

Working for an established championship organization was rewarding, but when the opportunity emerged to help bring a WNBA franchise to Canada, it was difficult to pass up.

"You almost never get the chance to help build a professional sports team from the ground up," Patrick says. "It was a chance to apply everything I'd learned while taking on an entirely new challenge."

Patrick joined the group that developed the business case for Canada's first WNBA franchise. From financial planning and governance to long-term operating models, every aspect had to be carefully considered.

"The CPA skill set was incredibly valuable throughout that process," he says. "You're taking an idea and demonstrating how it can become a sustainable business."

Building From Zero and Building to Last

Being awarded the franchise was only the beginning of the work.

Patrick was one of the organization's first hires. Before players, before coaches and before many of the systems that support a professional sports team, there was a blank slate. He helped build the financial infrastructure, reporting processes, governance, policies and long-term planning needed to support the club as it grows.

"In professional sports, passion is important," Patrick says. "But building an organization that can succeed over the long term requires strong fundamentals. That's where the CPA training has been especially valuable."

Patrick sees himself as a steward: "Our job is to leave the organization in a better position than we found it," he says. "If we build the right foundation now, the team will continue to benefit long after we're gone."

The CPA as the Point Guard

Ask Patrick what the CPA has changed most about his career, and his answer comes quickly: perspective.

"As CFO, you have to understand how all parts of the business fit together," he says. "I often think of it like being a point guard. You're making sure everyone has what they need to succeed and helping the organization move in the same direction."

That means working across basketball operations, marketing, ticket sales, partnerships, legal, technology, venue operations and finance to help the organization make informed decisions.

That broad perspective is especially valuable in professional sports, where decisions often involve salary caps, revenue sharing, cross-border operations and balancing short-term priorities with long-term goals.

Canada’s Team, Built for the Future

From the beginning, the Toronto Tempo has been built with a national vision. The organization wants fans across Canada to feel connected to the team through broadcast accessibility, community engagement and games played in multiple Canadian markets.

For Patrick, the opportunity is also personal.

"I know what it meant for me when the Raptors came to Toronto," he says. "For so many kids, it made the NBA feel local and attainable. I hope the Tempo can have a similar impact for the next generation."

Helping launch the country's first WNBA franchise is a full-circle moment for someone who grew up watching basketball in Toronto and wondering what a career in sports might look like.

Patrick’s Message to Future CPAs

Looking back, Patrick sees the CPA designation as an important part of his journey, but not the destination itself.

"The CPA designation gives you a strong foundation," he says. "Where you take it is up to you. For me, it opened the door to a career in sports and eventually the opportunity to help build Canada's first WNBA team."

Whether you are building a sports franchise, scaling a business or shaping something that will last beyond your own career, the CPA designation will give you the fundamentals to compete on any court.

Ready to Lead Like Patrick Lee?

From hometown inspiration to national impact, Patrick Lee’s journey shows how the CPA designation can turn passion into purpose and build institutions that stand the test of time.