WNBA Team Debuts ‘Non-Binary’ Mascot In Game Against Sophie Cunningham

The Toronto Tempo, the WNBA’s new Canadian franchise in its first season, unveiled its official mascots on August 18 during a home game against the Indiana Fever.

Dez, a Borealis Blue Snapping Turtle (she/they) from Muskoka, and Dot, an Arctic Hare (she/her) named after Toronto’s “T-Dot” nickname, debuted at halftime. Dez is the calmer, music-loving half of the duo; Dot is the energetic, acrobatic hype woman.

WNBA team reveals new queer turtle mascot to taunt Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham https://t.co/6PMHtlo58K pic.twitter.com/PXopribInP

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) August 22, 2026

Chief Marketing Officer Whitney Bell said the pair was designed to feel distinctly Canadian and Tempo-like: different personalities that work better together, one slowing the pace and the other turning the energy up.

Social media noted the timing—coming during a game against the Fever, whose guard Sophie Cunningham had criticized biological males competing in women’s sports about a month earlier.
The reveal drew backlash from some of the team’s progressive fans and ownership, including documented harassment of Cunningham supporters.