Overview
- The Tempo introduced the mascots during halftime of its Tuesday game against the Indiana Fever, naming Dez the snapping turtle (listed as she/they) and Dot the arctic hare (listed as she/her).
- The team posted detailed backstories and bios on its website and told reporters the characters are “besties” while keeping the performers’ identities private and crediting a mascot vendor.
- The reveal produced a wide range of reactions on social media and in the press, with LGBTQ outlets welcoming Dez’s presentation and conservative outlets and some users ridiculing the pronoun listing.
- Reporters noted the Tempo’s move in the context of earlier WNBA examples of gender-diverse mascots, such as the Seattle Storm’s Doppler, showing the league-level conversation is ongoing.
- The rollout could affect fan engagement and team branding and may prompt further comment from the Tempo or the WNBA as outlets continue to seek clarification and response.