WNBA team reveals new queer turtle mascot to taunt Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham

New York Post ^ | Aug. 22, 2026 | Shane Galvin

[ConservativeStatement]

The Toronto Tempo debuted a new “non-binary” mascot ahead of their WNBA matchup with the Indiana Fever in an apparent swipe at controversial star Sophie Cunningham.

The Tempo revealed Dez, a butch, non-binary Borealis Blue Snapping Turtle who uses she/they pronouns and “has a fondness for soft shell tacos,” the team said in an Tuesday announcement unveiling the new mascot.

Dez also has a partner in crime, anthropomorphic arctic hare named Dot who uses standard she/her pronouns.

[ConservativeStatement]

Butch may have been a better name.

[DoodleBob]

This is the Bee, right?

[econjack]

It they think a sexless mascot is going to intimidate Sophie Cunningham, they need to go back to the drawing boards.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

Nah, we don’t want to piss off our fans and cause a chunk of the audience to quit watching.

Idiots.

Go woke, go broke. They must not have been paying attention to all of the kneeling by NFL players in 2020.

[nickcarraway]

Toronto is famous for it’s soft shelled tacos?

[Drew68]

“has a fondness for soft shell tacos”

Don't we all...

[DIRTYSECRET]

Something tells me the WNBA is too small of a forum for her. Since she’s so comfy in the limelight there’s gotta be other opportunities available than that circus. Let Kaitlyn fight her own battles.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“soft shelled tacos” — I’m guessing it’s an allusion to female private parts.

[chopperk]

Sophie has more class than All of Canada.

[Lockbox]

Somehow Snapping is appropriate…..

[Semper Vigilantis]

At first I thought “Wow, those Canooks didn’t get the Brit sense of humour or satire at all”. Then I realized that it’s Toronto and their lack of humor comes from a snail and frog diet. Then I wondered “Why is there a Canadian team in a USA league?” I guess they only hate us when they don’t want something we have.

[Paladin2]

Maybe the Sophie finger of fate smite them a mighty blow.

[Paladin2]

May….

[Scrambler Bob]

A real turtle will suck in all its appendages.

[DoodleBob]

[Salvavida]

Just wait until men start dunking on them and sport becomes futility.

[aynrandfreak]

The Tempo are 11-25. Shut up and dribble

[Ken H]

“Something tells me the WNBA is too small of a forum for her. Since she’s so comfy in the limelight there’s gotta be other opportunities available than that circus.”

---

I saw a report that she has $5 million from endorsements, salary etc.Live long and prosper Miss Sophie!

[Texas Eagle]

Stephanie will probably give it a big hug and pose for pictures with it.

[TBP]

Can’t allow decency and common sense.