Toronto Tempo Mascots Spark Backlash Online: 'NOT It'

A rocky debut for Dez and Dot

The Toronto Tempo, the WNBA's newest expansion team and Canada's first-ever franchise in the league, finally revealed its mascots this week after months of anticipation. Fans were hoping for characters that would rally behind the team the way beloved mascots have for other Toronto sports franchises. Instead, the reveal of Dez the snapping turtle and Dot the arctic hare has sparked a wave of online mockery.

What fans are saying

Within hours of the reveal, social media lit up with reactions ranging from confused to outright critical. Commentators online have called the pair unsettling and uninspired, with many questioning the design choices and wondering how a snapping turtle and an arctic hare were chosen to represent a big-city basketball team. The "NOT it" sentiment quickly became a rallying cry among skeptical fans, with plenty of side-by-side comparisons to more polished mascots from other North American sports leagues.

Others have pushed back on the criticism, arguing that new mascots almost always face an adjustment period before winning over fans. Sports mascots across the WNBA and NBA have historically taken time, sometimes years, to become fan favourites, and some longtime supporters are urging patience rather than a rush to judgment.

Why it matters for Canadian basketball fans

The Toronto Tempo represents a milestone moment for basketball in Canada, becoming the first WNBA franchise based outside the United States. With the team set to begin play soon, off-court elements like branding, mascots, and fan engagement matter just as much as the roster in building excitement for a brand-new sports identity. A mascot controversy this early could shape how the franchise is perceived as it works to build a fanbase from scratch, a challenge that's especially delicate for expansion teams trying to establish themselves in a competitive sports market.

For Ontario basketball fans who've watched the WNBA grow in popularity in recent years, the Tempo's launch has been a point of local pride, even amid the mascot debate. Whether Dez and Dot become beloved fixtures or a footnote in the franchise's origin story will likely depend on how the team leans into, or away from, the criticism in the coming months.

What's next

The Tempo organization has not yet issued a formal response to the backlash, and it remains to be seen whether the mascots will get a redesign or simply need time to grow on fans. Either way, the debut has ensured plenty of buzz, for better or worse, ahead of the team's inaugural season.

Source: CBC News