Sophie Cunningham’s stance against biological men competing in women’s sports has created all sorts of controversial and polarizing reactions. But Tuesday’s Indiana Fever-Toronto Tempo matchup added a twist nobody could have anticipated.
At halftime, the Tempo unveiled a new mascot with “she/they pronouns,” placing the character squarely in the middle of a debate that has followed Cunningham across the WNBA.
The timing was hard to ignore, prompting the WNBA world to turn the event into a much bigger conversation.
Tempo Mascot With ‘She/They Pronouns’ Sparks WNBA Firestorm During Sophie Cunningham Visit
The halftime introduction featured Dez, described on the team’s website as a “Borealis Blue Snapping Turtle from Muskoka, Ontario,” listed with “she/they pronouns.”
Dez was unveiled alongside Dot, described by the Tempo as “an Arctic Hare named for Toronto’s longtime nickname, T-Dot.” To represent the franchise’s emphasis on inclusivity, Dot carries “she/her pronouns.”
The timing of Dez’s debut immediately caught attention. Cunningham has spent the past several weeks at the center of the WNBA’s transgender athlete debate after stating that women should not be forced to compete against biological men.
Cunningham’s comments have sparked heated reactions, with supporters and critics showing up at some of the Fever’s recent road games. So, when a mascot carrying “she/they” pronouns appeared during Cunningham’s visit to Toronto, the internet predictably had plenty to say.
Unsurprisingly, Dez’s unveiling ignited another round of back-and-forth from both sides of the debate.
“This is disgusting propaganda targeted at kids,” OutKick political commentator Jon Root tweeted.
The Toronto Tempo revealed a mascot with she/they pronouns tonight vs Indiana Fever…
Meet Dez (she/they) the Snapping Turtle
This is disgusting propaganda targeted at kids. pic.twitter.com/uaKdgRJw3M
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) August 19, 2026
“Yeah, announcing a trans mascot in front of Sophie Cunningham is so provoke society of them, I’m eating it up,” a Dallas Wings and New York Liberty supporter added.
yeah announcing a trans mascot in front of sophie cunningham is so provoke society of them i’m eating it up https://t.co/OWutyUelKa
— baige pueckers🗽 (@azzissmile) August 19, 2026
“[Expletive], wait, is Dez gay? I’m here for a masculine-presenting mascot!” one X user reacted.
“Announcing a trans mascot well playing the Fever. Tempo, you will always be famous,” another observer wrote.
announcing a trans mascot well playing the fever tempo you will always be famous https://t.co/UAo3UBZZZG
— Princess Jo (@Jodaisys) August 19, 2026
“Tempo revealing their nonbinary mascot with Sophie in the building >>>>,” a women’s basketball analyst stated.
Tempo revealing their nonbinary mascot with Sophie in the building >>>>
— Dani Bar-Lavi (@dblfluidity) August 19, 2026
“What is this trash??” a Luka Dončić supporter couldn’t hold back.
What is this trash?? 😭😭
— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) August 19, 2026
Yet the Tempo’s mascot plans were not created specifically for Cunningham’s visit.
The franchise began working on a mascot after Toronto was awarded a WNBA team in 2024. Once the organization settled on the Tempo name, the search for a mascot followed.
Last year, Toronto reportedly sought advice from other WNBA teams about how to bring its mascot concept to life. The franchise ultimately decided against having just one character and introduced both Dez and Dot.
Still, Dez’s arrival on the same night Cunningham was in town gave an already contentious topic another unexpected subplot.
The mascot was never going to settle the transgender athlete debate, but it certainly managed to become part of it. In a league where Cunningham has become one of the most talked-about players, even a snapping turtle can apparently find itself caught in the crossfire.
