The Toronto Tempo, a WNBA team, unveiled their anticipated mascots during a recent game, but these characters, Dez the snapping turtle and Dot the Arctic hare, have received mixed reviews from fans. Their contrasting tempos symbolize Aesop’s fable about a race between different animals, with the only commonality being their role as mascots for Canada’s sole WNBA franchise.
Dez, hailing from Muskoka, is portrayed as composed, enjoying music, soft-shell tacos, and identified as a Taurus. On the other hand, Dot, representing Toronto with the nickname T-Dot, exudes high energy, a love for cotton candy and the Netflix series “Drive to Survive,” and is classified as a Gemini. Their backstory involves a meeting where they discovered a mutual love for rhythm, despite their contrasting approaches, eventually leading them to Toronto.
While the Tempo expressed excitement over their new mascots, not all fans share the sentiment. Criticism on social media platforms highlights dissatisfaction with the mascots’ design and lack of appeal compared to other sports mascots. Some suggest that the mascots do not adequately represent Canadian or Torontonian identity, proposing alternatives like a beaver or raccoon.
Despite the mixed reactions, some fans appreciate the symbolism behind Dez and Dot’s characters, drawing inspiration from the tortoise and the hare narrative. Speculation about their relationship and sexuality has also surfaced among fans, with some wondering if they are dating. However, a TSN reporter clarified that Dez and Dot are simply best friends, neither siblings nor romantically involved.
As the Tempo struggles in their inaugural season with a 10–25 record and a 12-game losing streak, the team faces challenges on the court. Their recent loss to the Washington Mystics dashed their playoff hopes, adding to the pressure on the team and their new mascots.
