The NBA is not only known for its plentiful selection of superstars, its economic and entertainment impact cannot be overstated. The NBA mascot salary makes a solid case for the economics. The skills and talent of this group have helped some of them command high salaries.

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Mascots are often the unsung heroes at most sporting events. They motivate their favorite teams behind the scenes, on the sidelines, and provide energy and entertainment for millions of fans. Although they may not be what you think of when you think of six-figure salaries, the average annual salary of an NBA mascot is quite substantial.

NBA Mascot Salary List

The average annual salary of an NBA mascot is about $60,000, which equates to about $5,000 monthly, but some team mascots earn several thousand dollars or more.

We strive to provide our readers with valuable insight and information through our various rankings and lists. Understanding our methodology and the principles that underlie our ranking processes is essential. We used data from the NBA and other publicly available information. Below is a list of some of the highest paid mascots in the industry.

Serial number	Name of the mascot	Annual salary
1	Rocky the mountain lion	625,000 US dollars
2	Harry the Falcon	600,000 US dollars
3	Benny the Bull	400,000 US dollars
4	Go to the Gorilla	200,000 US dollars
5	Hugo the Hornet	100,000 US dollars

Rocky the mountain lion

Annual salary	625,000 US dollars
team	Denver Nuggets
Debut year	1990

The salary of this Denver Nuggets mascot has been the talk of the town in recent years. According to the Mascot Hall of Fame, the energetic entertainer with the three-foot-long tail has become a crowd favorite at Ball Arena, cheering on his team and teasing opposing teams.

Rocky the mountain lion’s salary is an impressive $625,000 per year. He is known for his incredible acrobatic skills, dance moves, and thrilling routines. This highest paid mascot ranks high among others and is not limited to funny sideshow acts.

Harry the Falcon

Annual salary	600,000 US dollars
team	Atlanta Hawks
Debut year	1986

The Atlanta Hawks mascot’s salary comes in close behind at a whopping $600,000 per year. Harry is known for his smooth dancing and entertaining antics with fans during the game. He also plays a major role in the Hawks’ charity programs.

According to Sportskeeda, Harry made his first appearance in 1986 and has been an unmistakable part of the team’s identity ever since. His over 18,000 followers on Instagram prove that he is popular with fans of all ages.

Benny the Bull

Annual salary	400,000 US dollars
team	Chicago Bulls
Debut year	1960s

This legend is the longtime mascot of the Chicago Bulls and has delighted generations of fans since the 1960s. According to the NBA, Benny enchants his audience with various performances, including acrobatic flips and dunking tricks.

An iconic moment was when he made Beyoncé dance in front of Jay-Z to the delight of the crowd. In addition to his courtside duties, Benny the Bull participates in charity events and public appearances at the United Center.

Go to the Gorilla

Annual salary	200,000 US dollars
team	Phoenix Suns
Debut year	1980

The Phoenix Suns’ slapstick star earns $200,000 annually. He didn’t start out as a mascot, but was simply a singing telegram in a gorilla costume that enhanced the team’s game. Fans fell in love with the act and the story of Go the Gorilla was born.

As reported by Sports Mascot Fandom, he is the undisputed king of slapstick humor paired with spectacular dunks. He climbs stadium steps and dunks while engaging with fans. He is in the Mascot Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor for outstanding sports mascots.

Hugo the Hornet

Annual salary	100,000 US dollars
team	Charlotte Hornets
Debut year	1988

Hugo the Hornet is next on the list of highest-paid NBA mascots. He earns an impressive annual salary of $100,000 and is known for his remarkable dunking skills and acrobatic flips.

His skills have earned him accolades such as the NBA Best Mascot Award and the NBA Mascot Slam Dunk Championships. According to the National Basketball Association, he debuted in 1988 and was designed by Cheryl Henson, the daughter of legendary puppeteer Jim Henson.

Hugo has an alter ego known as Super Hugo, who is known for his daredevil stunts and dunks that thrill crowds. He is involved in community programs, particularly those that promote education and literacy among the children of Charlotte.

Are NBA mascots better paid than WNBA players?

The average NBA mascot doesn’t earn more than the WNBA. According to Newsweek, current comparisons are based on how much top NBA mascots like Rocky the Mountain Lion earn annually.

By Rocky and Harry’s standards, the WNBA’s top female players, who earn between $212,000 and $242,000 a year, have some catching up to do. This disparity was constructed to raise awareness that female athletes are underpaid compared to their male counterparts.

Who is the lowest paid NBA mascot?

According to Marca, most mascots earn an average of $60,000, so the lowest-paid mascot earns roughly that amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mascots earning enviable annual salaries are impressive and controversial and have prompted further investigation. Below are the questions many are asking and the best answers:

• Which team has the highest paid mascot? The Denver Nuggets hold this title by paying their mascot Rocky over $600,000.
• How much do NBA mascots make? They receive an average of $60,000.
• How much does the Chicago Bulls mascot earn? He earns $400,000 a year.
• Who is the highest paid NBA player in 2024? According to Basket News, Steph Curry tops the list of highest-paid NBA players.
• How much does Celtics mascot Lucky earn? Lucky earns between $85,000 and $95,000 annually.
• How much does Benny the Bull earn? Benny the Bull’s annual salary is $400,000. Forbes named him the most popular mascot in sports in 2013.

The discussion about the NBA mascot’s salary is exciting and eye-opening. It shows the possibilities that are achievable in the NBA. This means that you don’t have to play like LeBron James to earn good money in basketball.

ALSO READ: The lowest paid NBA players of all time and how much they earn

Published on MeagerNBA players typically receive substantial salaries, and top players can sign multi-million dollar contracts. This financial stability can provide long-term security for players and their families.

Still, some players don’t earn as much as most fans think. So who are the lowest paid NBA players? Find out in the post.

Source: Newsflash