The Toronto Tempo of the WNBA introduced their highly 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 the two animals, bring different tempos to the team as mascots. Despite their differences, they both represent Canada’s sole WNBA team.
Dez, hailing from Muskoka, enjoys music, soft-shell tacos, and is a Taurus, while Dot, representing Toronto as “T-Dot,” from the Arctic, has a lot of energy, likes cotton candy and the Netflix F1 series “Drive to Survive,” and is a Gemini. Their paths crossed when Dot followed the northern lights south to Muskoka, and they realized they were a perfect match.
According to the team’s news release, Dez and Dot bonded over their shared love for rhythm despite their contrasting approaches. Eventually, their journey led them to the pulse of Toronto.
However, not all fans have embraced the new mascots wholeheartedly. Some critics have expressed dissatisfaction with the design and choice of mascots, comparing them unfavorably to other sports mascots like the Toronto Raptors’ Raptor.
Despite the criticisms, Whitney Bell, the Tempo’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the mascots’ Canadian roots and identity as essential elements of their character.
While some online voices feel the mascots do not adequately reflect Canadian or Torontonian symbols, others appreciate the unique tortoise and hare dynamic. Speculation about the mascots’ relationship and sexuality has also sparked discussion among fans.
Addressing the team’s performance, the Tempo’s inaugural season has seen them struggle with a 10–25 record and a 12-game losing streak, culminating in their playoff elimination after a recent defeat to the Washington Mystics.