The WNBA’s Toronto Tempo unveiled their highly anticipated mascots during a recent game, but the reception from fans has been mixed. The mascots, Dez the snapping turtle and Dot the Arctic hare, symbolize different speeds, drawing inspiration from Aesop’s fable about their race. Despite their differences, they share the role of representing Canada’s sole WNBA team.
Dez, hailing from Muskoka, is characterized as calm, with a love for music, soft-shell tacos, and identified as a Taurus. On the other hand, Dot, representing Toronto as “T-Dot,” is energetic, enjoys cotton candy, the Netflix F1 documentary series “Drive to Survive,” and is a Gemini. Their unique backgrounds led them to meet and realize their compatibility.
The Tempo explained in a press release that Dez and Dot bonded over their mutual love for rhythm, despite their contrasting approaches. Eventually, they were drawn to Toronto by its vibrant pulse. However, initial reactions from the city have been less than enthusiastic, with some criticizing the mascots’ design and comparing them unfavorably to other sports mascots like the Toronto Raptors’ Raptor.
Critics have expressed concerns about the mascots’ appearances, with some finding their faces unsettling. Despite the mixed feedback, Whitney Bell, the Tempo’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the mascots’ Canadian identity as a vital aspect of their representation. Some online voices have suggested that more traditional Canadian symbols like a beaver or raccoon would have been more fitting choices.
While some fans have praised the mascots’ concept and imagery, others have raised questions about their relationship and speculated on their sexuality, prompting clarifications that they are simply “besties.” As the Tempo struggle in their inaugural season with a series of losses, the mascots remain a point of discussion among supporters and critics alike.