WNBA addresses gender eligibility and Toronto Tempo unveils new mascot

The WNBA is facing internal discussions regarding player eligibility and gender identity following declarations from former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White as potential candidates for the 2027 draft. The league stated it will “approach future conversations thoughtfully” in alignment with its values while denouncing efforts to marginalize others.

In Toronto, the WNBA's Toronto Tempo has introduced two new mascots, including Dez, a non-binary snapping turtle from Muskoka, Ontario. Dez is described as using she/they pronouns and possesses a persona characterized as calm and clever. The introduction of the mascots has drawn attention from queer media outlets and fans regarding the team's branding and identity.