MASCOTS: Just a Costume or Apart of the Game?

Real Sports: Mascots

Mascots are defined and used for many things, whether it’s a person, animal, or object. They are thought to bring luck or a representation of a school, professional sports team, or brand name. Team’s mascots often take the form of the school’s logo and nickname. In addition, the sports world utilized mascots as marketing tools to generate revenue, fan recognition, as well as community service. As a sports fan, I never paid mascots any attention. I always saw them as entertainment for the children and over the top sports fans. However, that’s until I watched a mini documentary on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel that I realize the seriousness and dedication that goes into being a mascot. 

They’re not the average person that is trained to wear a Chuck E. Cheese costume. Many college and professional sports teams’ mascots attend boot camp to learn how to walk and deal with their emotion especially when faced with hateful fans. Some people would think that attending boot camp is going a little bit overboard. However, various popular mascots, some on the Forbes.com's list of America's Top Sports Mascots generate a six-figure salary. According to CNN Money, baseball mascots don't make much. Starting salaries might be $25,000 plus benefits, and often entail a day job in the marketing office. Only the most exceptional entertainers, working for far-sighted teams, earn six figures. Such mascots like Dave Raymond, who stated that teams have mascots, but only about half employ them full-time. Raymond for 16 years was the Phillie Phanatic, one of the best-known and best-paid mascots. I was also amazed at the fact that some mascots actually hired agents because in today’s sports world. They’re no longer cheerleaders, but have become full-fledged entertainers.

It was interesting to discover the amount of money that an individual is being paid to jump around in a costume for hours. Those were my initials thought before examining the risks of being in the mascot industry. For instance, being able to avoid dehydration from the hot costume and potential injury. In addition to many public appearances and goodwill requirements that come along with the being the face of the brand. Mascots are truly one of many aspects of a sports franchise that people recognize a particular team for. Individuals may not remember the team’s name or the players; however, they will remember whether team is the Eagles, Saints, or Bulls. Therefore, mascots are apart of the game, better yet; it is one of fans favorite part of coming to the game because there is something for each member of the family.  

 

-The Sportsnista '95

Photo: Manny. (2009). Funny and strange mascot costumes. Retrieved May 21, 2011 from http://mydisguises.com/2009/05/18/funny-and-strange-mascot-costumes/