Ellie the Elephant

{{About|the NY Liberty mascot|other entities|Ellie (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox mascot

| name = Ellie the Elephant

| image = Ellie The Elephant.png

| caption = Ellie The Elephant in 2024

| team = New York Liberty

| description = Female elephant

| first_seen = May 6, 2021

| website = {{URL|https://liberty.wnba.com/}}

}}

Ellie the Elephant, also known as Big Ellie and Big Ellie Liberty, is the mascot for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/ellie-the-elephant-new-york-liberty-mascot|title=The Most Fashionable Person in the WNBA Isn't a Person At All|first=Hannah|last=Jackson|date=May 21, 2024|website=Vogue|access-date=July 20, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Beach |first=Charlotte |date=2024-09-16 |title=The NY Liberty's "Big Ellie" Takes the Big Apple By Storm |url=https://www.printmag.com/culturally-related-design/ellie-the-elephant-ny-liberty/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=PRINT Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kotak |first=Yash |date=2024-10-13 |title=Unseen Details About Ellie the Elephant's Identity Come to Light: A Brief History of NY Liberty's Iconic Mascot |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/wnba-basketball-news-unseen-details-about-ellie-the-elephants-identity-come-to-light-a-brief-history-of-new-york-liberty-s-iconic-mascot/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=EssentiallySports |language=en}} Ellie was introduced on May 6, 2021, with the team's change in ownership and move to Barclays Center, replacing the previous mascot Maddie, a dog.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/new-york-libertys-ellie-the-elephant-on-how-to-have-a-hot-girl-summer|title=Who is Ellie the Elephant, the New York Liberty Mascot?|first=Rossilynne Skena|last=Culgan|date=July 11, 2024|website=Time Out|access-date=July 20, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/passing-the-torch-first-look-at-ellie/|title=Passing the torch: First look at Ellie, new Liberty mascot|first=Howard|last=Megdal|date=May 6, 2021|website=TheNextHoops|access-date=July 20, 2024}}

The character is known for her sass, and dance moves.{{Cite web |last=Covington |first=Abigail |date=October 13, 2023 |title=Have You Ever Seen an Elephant Twerk? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/13/style/ellie-elephant-ny-liberty-wnba.html |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=NY Times}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-24 |title=Who is Ellie the Elephant? Meet the New York Liberty's sassy mascot taking over WNBA games |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2024/05/liberty-ellie-the-elephant-mascot |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=For The Win |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-23 |title=A Mascot Skeptic Warns Of What Comes After Ellie The Elephant {{!}} Defector |url=https://defector.com/a-mascot-skeptic-warns-of-what-comes-after-ellie-the-elephant |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=defector.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Settembre |first=Jeanette |date=2024-08-27 |title=NY Liberty mascot Ellie has two stylists, big brands dressing her |url=https://nypost.com/2024/08/27/lifestyle/ny-liberty-mascot-ellie-has-two-stylists-big-brands-dressing-her/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-19 |title=The Most Popular Woman In Sports Is A 5'10" Elephant Who Trains Like An Elite Athlete |url=https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a62231035/ellie-the-elephant-new-york-liberty-wnba-mascot/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Women's Health |language=en-US}} Her skillfulness at twerking has been noted in The New York Times. Ellie has been a runaway success, referred to by players and fans alike as a vital part of the team and the vibe at Barclays Center.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jackie |date=2024-07-03 |title=Ellie the Elephant waves, stomps and puts on the most entertaining show in Brooklyn |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/ellie-the-elephant-waves-stomps-and-puts-on-the-most-entertaining-show-in-brooklyn/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=The Next |language=en-US}} Her pop culture dominance has gotten noticed throughout the WNBA and beyond, and the creative team is on the record as being surprised and delighted at her resonance in the sport.{{Cite web |last=Oler |first=Kiri |date=2024-07-22 |title=Ellie is putting the rest of the WNBA's mascots on notice |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/ellie-is-putting-the-rest-of-the-wnbas-mascots-on-notice/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=The Next |language=en-US}}

Origins

When the ownership of the New York Liberty changed hands from James Dolan (owner of Madison Square Garden and the New York Knicks) to Clara Wu Tsai and Joe Tsai (owners of the Brooklyn Nets), the team moved to Barclays Center. The prior mascot for the Liberty, a dog called Maddie, was named after Madison Square Garden.{{Cite news |last=Covington |first=Abigail |date=2023-10-13 |title=Have You Ever Seen an Elephant Twerk? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/13/style/ellie-elephant-ny-liberty-wnba.html |access-date=2024-07-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

File:Big Ellie Liberty at a New York Liberty game.png

For their move to Brooklyn Liberty CEO Keia Clarke researched animals that were commonly associated with New York City, and learned that when construction was completed on the Brooklyn Bridge, there was a parade of P. T. Barnum's elephants (including Jumbo) to show people that the bridge was strong enough, held for its first anniversary on May 17, 1884. Clarke thus thought an elephant could symbolize the team's own move to Brooklyn. The name Ellie is after Ellis Island, the historic welcome center for new immigrants, next door to Liberty Island, the home of the Statue of Liberty.{{Cite web |last=Megdal |first=Howard |date=2021-05-06 |title=Passing the torch: First look at Ellie, new Liberty mascot |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/passing-the-torch-first-look-at-ellie/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=The Next |language=en-US}} The mascot wears a radiate crown in the style of the Statue of Liberty, as was also worn by the prior mascot Maddie.

Creative Team

The performer who embodies the Ellie costume remains anonymous,{{Cite news |last=Covington |first=Abigail |date=2023-10-13 |title=Have You Ever Seen an Elephant Twerk? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/13/style/ellie-elephant-ny-liberty-wnba.html |access-date=2024-07-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} but they are a Brooklyn native. As a mascot, Ellie does not use her voice with fans during games, or to the press during interviews, but as of 2024 features first-person voiceover narration on her TikTok.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-14 |title=They Call Her Big Ellie: Meet the New York Liberty's viral mascot - ESPN Video |url=https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40346197 |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-09-22 |title=Sports mascots were very dude-coded. Then came Ellie the Elephant. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2024/09/22/ellie-elephant-liberty-new-york-wnba-mascots-basketball/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}} Ellie's main creative team are NY Liberty Chief Brand Officer Shana Stephenson, senior director of entertainment Criscia Long and senior entertainment manager Shenay Rivers, who are all black women. They oversee Ellie in addition to the Timeless Torches, the Torch Patrol, The Lil Torches, along with any outside performers.{{Cite web |last=Hurd |first=Sean |date=2024-06-14 |title=New York Liberty mascot Ellie brings Black creativity to WNBA |url=https://andscape.com/features/new-york-liberty-mascot-ellie-brings-black-creativity-to-wnba/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Andscape |language=en-US}} Ellie's personality reflects the Black and LatinX culture of Brooklyn, and the dominance of the team on the floor. Her creative team looked to New York hip-hop personalities for inspiration. The performer who embodies Ellie tried out at an open audition.{{Cite news |last=Hess |first=AJ |date=October 18, 2024 |title=The business of Ellie the Elephant, the WNBA's most valuable mascot |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91210856/the-business-of-ellie-the-elephant-the-wnbas-most-valuable-mascot |work=Fast Company}} Long and Rivers act as Ellie's Stylists, working with costumes Manager Alexis Leatherwood to customize her outfits with extras like Rhinestones or custom pieces. Ellie's purse has become a notable accessory, and she has brand deals with fashion houses like Telfar, Rare Breed, and UGG. The team has a special rate card for brand partnerships with Ellie, akin to the influencer deals in social media writ large.{{Cite web |last=Settembre |first=Jeanette |date=2024-08-27 |title=NY Liberty mascot Ellie has two stylists, big brands dressing her |url=https://nypost.com/2024/08/27/lifestyle/ny-liberty-mascot-ellie-has-two-stylists-big-brands-dressing-her/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |language=en-US}} In 2024, Ellie released her own colorway of the Nike Sabrina 2.

Ellie's Character suit was built by Randy Carfagno of Randy Carfagno Productions{{Cite web |title=Chicago Sky Introduce New Mascot, Skye the Lioness – Chicago Sky |url=https://sky.wnba.com/news/chicago-sky-introduce-new-mascot-skye-the-lioness/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=sky.wnba.com}} In her first season, she had a hair bang and a typical mascot style shoes, with anatomically incorrect hand paws{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Dayna |date=2024-08-28 |title=The Best Party in New York Is Only Getting Bigger |url=https://www.thecut.com/article/wnba-liberty-games-best-crowd-party-new-york.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=The Cut |language=en}} Her suit has evolved towards a more danceable shoe with traction pads on her hand so that she is able to perform more advanced dance moves. These modifications were at the request of the performer. Her hair has gone from a simple curl to a floor-length, seafoam-infused braid. The 2024 season saw Ellie wearing into a Jersey Dress and a wide array of designer handbags and Nike shoes.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Hannah |date=2024-10-14 |title=Ellie the Elephant, the New York Liberty's Mascot, Is Ready to Bring Home the WNBA Championship |url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/ellie-the-elephant-new-york-liberty-wnba-championship-diary |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}} She has "lush eyelashes" and she frequently incorporates wigs and advanced costume changes.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-14 |title=They Call Her Big Ellie: Meet the New York Liberty's viral mascot - ESPN Video |url=https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40346197 |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

Ellie's escorts who hold her bag and support her during game day are called The Stompaz.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jackie |date=2024-07-03 |title=Ellie the Elephant waves, stomps and puts on the most entertaining show in Brooklyn |url=https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/ellie-the-elephant-waves-stomps-and-puts-on-the-most-entertaining-show-in-brooklyn/ |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=The Next |language=en-US}}

File:Flavor Flav and Ellie The Elephant.png at the New York Liberty game on September 5, 2024]]

Notable performances and dance moves

In addition to her court-side antics,{{Cite web |last=Camille |first=Jada |date=2024-09-24 |title=Ellie on the Aux: The pump-up playlist behind NY Liberty's viral mascot • Brooklyn Paper |url=https://www.brooklynpaper.com/ellie-the-elephant-pump-up-playlist/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=www.brooklynpaper.com |language=en-US}} and dance moves she is famous for, Ellie has several signature crowd participation moments, including the Ellie Stomp, The Ellie Wave, and the "Gotta Get Up" song that plays during the late game t-shirt toss.Her skillfulness at twerking has been noted in the New York Times.{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Samantha |date=2024-05-02 |title=The New York Liberty's Twerking Elephant Mascot Is My New Gay Obsession |url=https://www.them.us/story/new-york-liberty-mascot-ellie-the-elephant-twerking |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Them |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-16 |title=How Do You Dress an Elephant? One Fit at a Time |url=https://www.si.com/wnba/liberty-mascot-ellie-the-elephant-new-york-fashion |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=SI |language=en-US}}

Ellie has performed notable halftime tributes to such artists as Lil Kim, Missy Elliot, Beyonce, Tyga, Mary J Blige, and others.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-30 |title=Lil Ellie-Kim, Elliyoncé and more of Ellie the Elephant's best moments |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/40446242/new-york-liberty-mascot-ellie-elephant-best-moments |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

During the media tour after the Liberty's 2024 WNBA Championship win, Ellie graced the stage with Stephen Colbert, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver,{{Cite web |last=Cobb |first=Kayla |date=2024-10-23 |title=Stephen Colbert Celebrates New York Liberty's WNBA Championship by Dancing With Ellie the Elephant {{!}} Video |url=https://www.thewrap.com/new-york-liberty-wnba-ellie-the-elephant-stephen-colbert-late-show/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}} New York Attorney General Leticia James, and Rappers Lil Mama, Fat Joe, and Remy Ma. Disgraced New York City Mayor Eric Adams{{Cite web |date=2024-10-24 |title=Eric Adams Gets Brutally Booed at New York Liberty Championship Parade |url=https://www.mediaite.com/sports/eric-adams-gets-brutally-booed-at-new-york-liberty-championship-parade/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Mediaite |language=en}} was made to hold her purse during a ceremony at New York City Hall while Ellie performed a dance breakdown.{{Cite web |last=Ardrey |first=Taylor |title=Watch WNBA mascot Ellie the Elephant hand Mayor Eric Adams her purse for a dance break |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/10/25/watch-video-wnba-mascot-ellie-the-elephant-adams/75839408007/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}

Honors and Awards

At the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Ellie became the first professional sports mascot with a dedicated float in the annual spectacle, riding with The Timeless Torches, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Nyara Sabally, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-28 |title=New York Liberty's Mascot Ellie Makes Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade History |url=https://www.si.com/wnba/new-york-liberty-mascot-ellie-macy-thanksgiving-day-parade-history |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=SI |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-28 |title=New York Liberty and mascot Ellie The Elephant attend rainy Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/york-liberty-mascot-ellie-elephant-162320949.html |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}} In addition to winning a Glamour Women of the Year award, Ellie the Elephant was named one of 2024's 63 most stylish people by the New York Times, the only anthropomorphic character to make the list.{{Cite news |last=The Styles Desk |first= |date=December 5, 2024 |title=The 63 Most Stylish People of 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/style/best-dressed-people-2024.html |access-date=December 5, 2024 |work=The New York Times}} New York Magazine's 2024 Year-End Approval Matrix featured Ellie all the way in the lower right corner, at the apex of "Lowbrow" and "Brilliant"{{Cite web |last=Pariso |first=Dominique |last2=Stanton |first2=Chris |date=2024-12-25 |title=The Approval Matrix: Good Luck in 2025, Babe! |url=https://nymag.com/article/the-approval-matrix-2024.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=New York Magazine |language=en}}