The Toronto Tempo, a team in the WNBA, unveiled their highly anticipated mascots at a recent game, but the response from fans has been mixed. Dez the snapping turtle and Dot the Arctic hare, inspired by Aesop’s fable of a race between the two animals, have contrasting tempos and backgrounds but share the role of being Canada’s sole WNBA team mascots.
Dez, hailing from Muskoka, is laid-back, enjoys music, soft-shell tacos, and is a Taurus. Dot, representing Toronto as T-Dot, is energetic, likes cotton candy, the Netflix F1 documentary series “Drive to Survive,” and is a Gemini. Their meeting in Dez’s territory led to a mutual understanding and partnership, driven by their shared love of rhythm.
Despite their unique story, the mascots faced criticism from some fans, who found their designs unappealing and not representative of Toronto. While one commenter favored the Toronto Raptors’ Raptor mascot, others acknowledged past criticism faced by the Raptor during its debut.
Whitney Bell, the Tempo’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the mascots’ Canadian identity, but online critics suggested alternatives like a beaver or raccoon for a more fitting representation. The Tempo has yet to address the public feedback on the mascots.
Despite the mixed reactions, some fans appreciated the concept and symbolism of the tortoise and hare dynamic. Speculation about the mascots’ relationship and sexuality surfaced, with clarification from a TSN reporter confirming they are simply best friends, not siblings or in a romantic relationship.
The Tempo, currently struggling with a 10-25 record and a 12-game losing streak in their first season, face tough times on the court. Their recent loss to the Washington Mystics dashed their playoff hopes.