Riley Gaines proposes bald eagle as WNBA mascot replacement

Riley Gaines suggested a mascot change if she were WNBA commissioner. In a recent interview, she expressed her desire to replace the Toronto Tempo's new mascot, a Borealis Blue Snapping Turtle named Dez, with a bald eagle. This comment follows Toronto's introduction of Dez during a game against the Indiana Fever. Gaines criticized the current mascot's non-binary representation, stating her preference for a more traditional figure. The discussion comes amid uncertainties about the WNBA commissioner's future, as Cathy Engelbert's contract is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season.

• 8:30 AMYahoo Sports — The WNBA mascot Riley Gaines would replace with ‘a bald eagle’ if she became commissioner