The Toronto Tempo of the WNBA introduced their eagerly anticipated mascots during a game on Tuesday, but they have received mixed reactions from fans. Dez the snapping turtle and Dot the Arctic hare, inspired by Aesop’s fable about a race between different animals, represent Canada’s only WNBA team. Each mascot has a unique backstory: Dez, hailing from Muskoka, is calm, enjoys music and soft-shell tacos, and is a Taurus, while Dot, a Gemini from Toronto (T-Dot), is energetic, loves cotton candy and the Netflix F1 documentary series “Drive to Survive.” The two connected over their shared love of rhythm and eventually made their way to Toronto together.
Despite their endearing story, not all fans have embraced the new mascots. Some criticize their design, comparing them unfavorably to the Toronto Raptors’ mascot, the Raptor. Comments on social media platforms express disappointment in the mascots’ appearance and question their relevance to Canadian or Torontonian identity, suggesting that a beaver or raccoon would have been more fitting choices.
Whitney Bell, the Tempo’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the mascots’ Canadian roots, but online critics remain divided. While some find the mascots charming and appreciate their symbolism, others question their cultural relevance. The franchise has not responded to criticism yet, leaving fans to debate the mascots’ merits and speculate about their relationship status.
Amidst the ongoing discussions, it has been clarified that Dez and Dot are not siblings or romantically involved but are simply best friends, according to a TSN Toronto Tempo beat reporter. The Tempo team, currently struggling with a 10–25 record and a 12-game losing streak, faces a challenging season as they have been eliminated from playoff contention.