Sage Steele criticizes Toronto Tempo mascot during Fever game
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 24, 2026, 1:16 PM
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Sage Steele, a former ESPN anchor, criticized the Toronto Tempo’s new mascot, Dez, during the team's game against the Indiana Fever on August 23. She described the mascot, a nonbinary Borealis Blue Snapping Turtle, as a ‘desperate attempt’ at inclusivity, amid ongoing debates in the WNBA regarding transgender athletes in women's sports. The mascot debuted alongside another character, Dot, during halftime, which quickly drawn backlash for its timing. The Tempo are currently in their first season as the league's only Canadian franchise.
- •Dez is the second nonbinary mascot in WNBA history.
- •The Tempo hold an 11-26 record in their inaugural season.
- •Sophie Cunningham's comments on transgender athletes have sparked controversy.
- •Steele's remarks were made on X after learning about the mascot reveal.
- •Dot, the second mascot, is an Arctic Hare with she/her pronouns.
- 1:16 PMYahoo Sports — Ex-ESPN anchor Sage Steele roasts ‘laughable’ Toronto Tempo mascot
"The comments landed the same night the WNBA expansion team hosted Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever.
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