The WNBA’s Toronto Tempo unveiled their highly anticipated mascots during a game on Tuesday, but these mascots, Dez the snapping turtle and Dot the Arctic hare, aren’t receiving an overwhelmingly warm reception from fans. The two mascots, inspired by Aesop’s fable, move at different speeds and share only one thing in common – representing Canada’s sole WNBA team.
Dez hails from Muskoka and enjoys music, soft-shell tacos, and is a Taurus, while Dot, named after Toronto’s nickname T-Dot, comes from the Arctic, loves cotton candy, the Netflix F1 documentary series “Drive to Survive,” and is a Gemini. Their backstory involves a meeting where they discovered a mutual love for rhythm, albeit approaching it from different perspectives.
Despite the elaborate backstory, some fans have criticized the mascots’ design and concept, comparing them unfavorably to the more established Toronto Raptors’ mascot, the Raptor. Some have found the faces of Dez and Dot unsettling, with comments on social media expressing discomfort.
While some online critics feel the mascots may not adequately represent Canadian or Torontonian identity, others appreciate the “tortoise and hare” dynamic and the imagery it conveys. Speculation about the mascots’ relationship and sexuality has also circulated among fans, although reports confirm they are simply best friends.
As the Toronto Tempo struggle in their inaugural season with a 10–25 record and a 12-game losing streak, fans hope the new mascots will bring them luck. The team’s recent loss to the Washington Mystics eliminated them from playoff contention, adding pressure to their challenging season. The franchise has yet to respond to criticisms about the mascots.