The Toronto Tempo of the WNBA unveiled their highly anticipated mascots during a game on Tuesday, but the reception from fans has been less than enthusiastic.
Dez, the snapping turtle, and Dot, the Arctic hare, represent contrasting speeds, drawing inspiration from Aesop’s fable about a race between the two animals. Despite their differences, they share the role of being mascots for Canada’s sole WNBA team. Both characters come with detailed backgrounds: Dez, hailing from Muskoka, is laid-back, enjoys music, soft-shell tacos, and is a Taurus; while Dot, representing Toronto as T-Dot, is energetic, loves cotton candy, the Netflix F1 series “Drive to Survive,” and is a Gemini. Their serendipitous meeting led them to realize their compatibility.
According to a news release by the Tempo, “The two quickly discovered a shared love of rhythm — even if they approached it very differently. Dez brought patience and timing; Dot brought speed and fearless energy. Eventually, the pulse of Toronto drew them both to the city.”
However, similar to many new mascots, the pair faced criticism from their home city. Some fans expressed disappointment with the design and choice of mascots, comparing them unfavorably to the more established Raptor, the Toronto Raptors mascot.
Critics commented that the mascots’ appearance was unsettling, with remarks like, “I don’t like how Dot is looking at me” and “They’re just staring into my soul.” Despite differing opinions, Whitney Bell, the Tempo’s chief marketing officer, emphasized the mascots’ Canadian identity as a crucial aspect of their creation.
While some online voices felt the mascots did not adequately represent Canadian or Torontonian culture, others appreciated the “tortoise and the hare” symbolism and imagery. The franchise has yet to respond to criticisms regarding the mascots.
Amidst the mixed reactions, speculation arose about the nature of Dez and Dot’s relationship, including rumors about their dating status. However, a TSN Toronto Tempo beat reporter clarified that the mascots are simply best friends, neither siblings nor in a romantic relationship.
With a challenging inaugural season marked by a 12-game losing streak, the Tempo are looking to their mascots for a change in fortune. Following their recent loss to the Washington Mystics, the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
