WNBA Team’s New She/They Mascot Is A Taurus DJ Who Loves Tacos

The Toronto Tempo, Canada's sole WNBA franchise, introduced two new official mascots this week, featuring a DJing snapping turtle named Dez, who uses she/they pronouns. The unveiling occurred during halftime of the team’s game against the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, August 19, 2026. The introduction of the mascots coincided with growing public discourse around issues of gender identity and representation in professional sports, particularly following statements from Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who has been vocal about her opposition to biological male athletes competing in women’s leagues. Dez, the snapping turtle, hails from Muskoka, Ontario, and is described as a “borealis blue” creature with a penchant for soft shell tacos and DJing in his spare time. According to the team, Dez is a Taurus known for being calm, clever, and strategic, with a preference for slowing things down. His personality contrasts sharply with Dot, the Arctic Hare, who is characterized as the “undisputed hype woman” of the pair. Dot uses she/her pronouns and has a love for cotton candy, embodying the energetic and enthusiastic side of the duo. Whitney Bell, the Toronto Tempo’s chief marketing officer, highlighted the dynamic between the two mascots, stating that while they have distinct personalities, they complement each other well. “One knows when to slow things down, the other knows when to turn the energy all the way up,” Bell explained. The team emphasized that Dez and Dot were designed to represent diversity and inclusivity, reflecting broader societal shifts toward recognizing and respecting non-traditional gender identities. The introduction of Dez sparked a range of reactions online, with some viewers expressing surprise or confusion over the mascot’s gender presentation. One social media user remarked, “The WNBA is virtue signaling so hard they’re going to break a wrist,” suggesting skepticism about the team’s motives. Meanwhile, LGBTQ-focused publication Them noted the significance of the mascot’s pronoun usage, describing Dez as “butch” and likening the team’s press release to “a very queer novella.” Them also raised questions about the potential romantic relationship between Dez and Dot, prompting the Tempo to clarify that the mascots are simply “besties.” Despite these discussions, the Tempo has not explicitly stated whether Dez identifies as nonbinary, though many speculate based on the use of she/they pronouns. The team has opted for a more general description, referring to Dez as someone who “identifies as a ‘borealis blue’ snapping turtle from Muskoka.” This approach allows for interpretation while avoiding definitive labels. The unveiling of the mascots came just days after the Toronto Tempo released a video showcasing behind-the-scenes footage of the creation process, which was shared on their YouTube channel. The video included interviews with team members and designers, offering insight into how the mascots were developed to reflect both the team’s brand and contemporary values surrounding gender expression. As the season progresses, fans and analysts will likely continue to engage with the story of Dez and Dot, examining how the mascots influence perceptions of identity within sports culture. For now, the Toronto Tempo remains focused on celebrating diversity through its new ambassadors, hoping to inspire conversations that extend beyond the basketball court.