The Toronto Tempo of the WNBA unveiled their long-awaited mascots during a game on Tuesday, but the reception from fans has been mixed.
Dez the snapping turtle and Dot the Arctic hare each have their own unique pace, drawing inspiration from Aesop’s fable about a race between the two animals. The only commonality between them is being the mascots for Canada’s sole WNBA team.
Dez, hailing from Muskoka, is characterized as composed, enjoys music, soft-shell tacos, and is a Taurus. Meanwhile, Dot, representing Toronto’s nickname T-Dot, brings high energy, a love for cotton candy and the Netflix F1 documentary series “Drive to Survive,” and is a Gemini. The two found a connection when Dot followed the northern lights to Dez’s territory and discovered their complementary qualities.
Their shared passion for rhythm led them to Toronto, as stated in a press release by the Tempo. However, not all locals have welcomed the new mascots with open arms, with some criticizing their design and likening them to characters from a children’s coloring book.
Whitney Bell, the Tempo’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the mascots’ Canadian identity, despite online criticisms suggesting they are not representative enough of Toronto. Some suggested alternatives like a beaver or raccoon would have been more fitting choices.
While some fans have expressed admiration for the mascots, others have speculated about their relationship status, with rumors circulating about whether they are dating. However, a TSN reporter clarified that Dez and Dot are simply close friends, not siblings or partners.
The Tempo, currently experiencing a challenging season with a 10-25 record and a 12-game losing streak, faced a setback with their recent loss to the Washington Mystics, which eliminated them from playoff contention.