The Toronto Tempo, a WNBA team, recently unveiled their highly anticipated mascots during a game on Tuesday, but these mascots, Dez the snapping turtle and Dot the Arctic hare, haven’t received a warm welcome from all fans. Each mascot moves at a different pace, inspired by Aesop’s fable about a race between a turtle and a hare, and the only commonality they share is representing Canada’s sole WNBA team.
Dez, hailing from Muskoka, is described as composed, enjoying music, soft-shell tacos, and a Taurus sign, while Dot, originating from Toronto, exudes energy, adores cotton candy, Netflix’s F1 series “Drive to Survive,” and is a Gemini. Their meeting was fateful as Dot followed the northern lights to Dez’s territory, realizing their perfect match in companionship.
The Tempo shared that Dez and Dot bonded over their shared love for rhythm, albeit with contrasting approaches – Dez brought patience and timing, while Dot contributed speed and fearless energy. Eventually, they were drawn to Toronto’s heartbeat.
Despite their endearing backstory, the mascots faced criticism from some fans, who found their design unappealing and not representative of the city. The Tempo has not yet responded to critiques from fans regarding the mascots.
Although some fans were critical, others appreciated the mascots’ unique representation, with one Facebook user expressing appreciation for the tortoise and hare symbolism. Meanwhile, speculation about the mascots’ relationship and sexuality has circulated among fans, with reports clarifying that Dez and Dot are simply best friends, not siblings or romantic partners.
The Tempo’s inaugural WNBA season has been challenging, with a record of 10-25 and a 12-game losing streak, leading to their elimination from playoff contention after a recent defeat against the Washington Mystics.