Monica Wright Rogers, the General Manager of the Toronto Tempo, is dressed to impress, and there’s a compelling reason behind her choice of attire.
Imagine this: it’s a Friday evening, and as the clock strikes 5 p.m., Monica strides into a nail salon, her presence commanding attention. For her, the day has been a whirlwind of activity, starting with an early morning coffee meeting, followed by a team-building exercise, and a series of discussions about hiring new talent, forging partnerships, and strategizing for the future.
By May of the upcoming year, Ms. Wright Rogers will unveil Canada’s inaugural WNBA team, a monumental task that involves not just assembling a roster of players but also selecting her staff and appointing a head coach. Yet, for the next hour, all those responsibilities will take a backseat as she indulges in a little self-care.
We find ourselves at the Sixth Sense nail salon, nestled in Toronto’s vibrant Liberty Village. This is her chosen spot, a place where she feels at home. At just 37 years old, she is not only a first-time GM but also one of the few women in executive roles within professional basketball, and even rarer as a woman of color in this field. She is acutely aware that her every move is under scrutiny.
As she enters the salon, clad in a striking teal suit that accentuates her tall, 5-foot-10 frame, she is warmly welcomed with a hug from the owner. In the six months since relocating to Toronto, she has quickly become a familiar face here.
The first time she visited, she was captivated by the atmosphere. The owners’ children were playing behind the cash register, reminding her of her own five-year-old son. "It felt like family right away," she recalls, describing how she instantly connected with the place.
The salon is buzzing with young women, freshly off work, their oversized bags spilling with personal items. The walls are adorned with a vibrant array of nail polish, showcasing countless shades of pink, purple, and red.
Every two weeks, Ms. Wright Rogers makes it a point to visit this salon. When she’s not immersed in basketball, whether on the court, in the office, or spending time with her husband and son, this is where she finds her sanctuary. "This is my ‘me time,’" she shares, emphasizing the importance of self-care amidst her busy life.
Her journey in sports began in her hometown of Woodbridge, Virginia, where she first picked up a basketball at the tender age of nine. By middle school, she was already receiving recruitment letters from colleges. She went on to earn a full scholarship to the University of Virginia and was later selected second overall in the 2010 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx, where she celebrated two championship victories.
Even during her playing days, when she had to keep her nails short enough to make a fist, she maintained her nail care routine. No matter where her career took her—be it Poland, Turkey, or South Korea—she always found a new salon. In Seoul, she and her teammates would unwind after games at 24-hour spas, indulging in steam treatments and foot scrubs.
This commitment to self-care continued after her playing career, whether she was coaching at the collegiate level, working as an executive in the NBA, or serving as the assistant GM for the Phoenix Mercury.
Initially, we planned to enjoy pedicures together. However, as we settled into our massage chairs, I noticed that Ms. Wright Rogers had already arrived with her heels perfectly polished and her nail color shining brightly. Only upon closer inspection could one see a slight growth of bare nail since her last visit two weeks prior.
While my nail technician diligently filed away, Ms. Wright Rogers’s technician swiftly refreshed her nails, applying the same shade of white polish. She typically opts for one of two OPI colors: "Funny Bunny" or "Chiffon-d of You." This choice is intentional; white complements everything. On special occasions, like her press conference announcing her hiring, she might choose a deep Bordeaux hue to reflect the Tempo’s team colors of blue and purple.
But there’s a deeper reason behind her always immaculate nails and her choice to wear a suit, even in the sweltering summer heat. In a male-dominated industry, she feels the weight of responsibility on her shoulders. "I carry a heavy weight," she admits. "I might be overdressed, but it’s essential to present myself in a way that inspires the young girls looking up to me."
Currently, there are only seven female GMs among the 13 teams in the WNBA, and the same number of teams are coached by women. Is this progress? She raises an eyebrow and challenges, "You tell me, girl."
Ms. Wright Rogers is acutely aware of the challenges ahead. The success or failure of her team could significantly impact the future of women’s professional basketball in Canada. She understands that she must not only be prepared but also strive for perfection. Her hands, after all, need to reflect that commitment.
There have already been notable achievements, such as tennis legend Serena Williams joining the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo. However, there have also been setbacks, including the premature leak of the team’s name and her appointment as GM.
When I brought up the leaks, her demeanor shifted. "I don’t want to comment on that," she replied flatly.
Her overarching strategy is to play the long game. She references extensive research indicating that women’s sports often receive less attention and investment compared to their male counterparts. "We won’t get everything we want immediately," she explains. "It’s crucial to be strategic and seize every opportunity for small victories."
As her pedicure concluded, her toenails were perfectly shaped and polished to a brilliant white. She expressed her gratitude to her nail technician and prepared to step back into the heat, donning her blazer and hefting a large backpack. She also carried a second bag filled with work materials and a box of sneakers. Indeed, she carries a heavy load.
"I feel so refreshed," she said, and with that, she was off, ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead.
