Toronto Tempo introduces mascots Dot and Dez

The Toronto Tempo introduced their official mascots, Dot and Dez, during a halftime ceremony at Scotiabank Arena on August 18, 2026. The unveiling occurred during the WNBA expansion team’s inaugural-season game against the Indiana Fever, marking a significant step in building the franchise’s identity.

Dot is an Arctic hare who uses she/her pronouns and is named for Toronto’s longtime nickname, “T-Dot.” Dez is a snapping turtle who uses they/them pronouns and hails from Muskoka, Ontario, with a name inspired by the word “decibel.” The team described the pair as a distinctly Canadian take on the classic tortoise and hare fable, representing a balance between steady precision and swift energy. According to the Tempo, Dot embodies endless energy as the “hype woman,” while Dez is the calm, clever, and music-loving half of the duo.

Toronto Chief Marketing Officer Whitney Bell explained the design philosophy behind the mascots. “From the beginning, we wanted our mascots to feel distinctly Tempo, rooted in who we are as a Canadian team,” Bell stated. “Dez and Dot have completely different personalities, but they’re better together. One knows when to slow things down, the other knows...