If you haven’t seen a seven-foot-tall seafoam green elephant twerking to Lil' Kim in the middle of Brooklyn, you basically haven't lived. Seriously. Most people see a mascot and think of sweaty high schoolers in felt suits or those weirdly intense minor league baseball characters. But Ellie the Elephant Liberty is different. She isn't just a mascot for the New York Liberty. Honestly, she’s a vibe, a fashionista, and arguably the most influential "person" in the WNBA right now.
Kinda crazy, right? An elephant.
But she isn’t just some random animal chosen from a hat. There’s actual history there. Back in 1884, P.T. Barnum marched 21 elephants across the newly built Brooklyn Bridge. Why? To prove it wouldn't collapse. People were terrified the bridge was a death trap. Barnum’s stunt showed that if it could hold a literal herd of pachyderms, it could hold New Yorkers. Fast forward to 2021, when the Liberty moved to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The team needed something that felt "Brooklyn." They ditched Maddie the Dog (who was named after Madison Square Garden) and brought in Ellie.
The Secret Sauce of Ellie the Elephant Liberty
Most mascots are "dude-coded." They do backflips, they dunk off trampolines, they act like goofy teenagers. Ellie is unapologetically feminine. She’s a "sassy diva" who rocks a 15-foot braid, giant hoop earrings, and a nose ring. You’ve probably seen her on TikTok. She has hundreds of thousands of followers who tune in just to see her "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) videos.
She has a closet that would make a Kardashian jealous. We’re talking custom designer gear, Telfar bags, and exclusive Nike sneakers. Her "aunties"—which is what the Liberty’s entertainment team, led by Criscia Long and Shenay Rivers, call themselves—curate her looks with the same intensity usually reserved for the Met Gala. In fact, she’s actually walked the red carpet at Glamour’s Women of the Year and been featured in Vogue.
Why the Culture Obsession?
It’s not just the clothes. It’s the movement. Ellie doesn’t just "dance." She performs. She has mastered the "Mary J. Blige strut" and can hit a "death drop" better than most drag queens. During the 2024 championship run, she became a symbol of the team's dominance. When the Liberty finally won the title, Ellie was right there popping champagne and crying (well, as much as a mascot can cry) with the players.
Her identity is a closely guarded secret. The New York Liberty leadership is adamant: there is only one performer. They don't swap people out. This person, whoever they are, has an background in professional mascot work but also clearly understands Black and queer culture. They use slang like "sis" and "slay" through a modulated voice on social media, making Ellie feel like a real friend rather than a corporate puppet.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Mascot
People think Ellie is just a gimmick to sell tickets. While she definitely helps—sponsorships jumped 60% after she went viral—she serves a deeper purpose. She represents the intersection of sports and lifestyle. She flirts with security guards, "scolds" referees, and hands her purse to Mayor Eric Adams so she can bust a move.
She isn't there to just fill time during timeouts. She’s the main event.
The Business of Being Big Ellie
The Liberty actually has a "rate card" for Ellie now. Think about that. A mascot has a professional fee for brand deals. She’s worked with Xbox, Bumble, and McDonald's. She’s a "top-of-funnel" marketing strategy. By appealing to people who might not even care about basketball, she brings new eyes to the WNBA. You might follow her for the fashion and stay for the Breanna Stewart highlights.
The detail in her costume is also technical. Designing pants that fit an elephant's tail but allow for a full split is a nightmare for costume managers like Alexis Leatherwood. They have to bedazzle her outfits with rhinestones and ensure her hair can withstand 360-degree spins without hitting a fan in the front row. It’s high-stakes theater.
How to Experience the Ellie Magic
If you’re heading to a game at Barclays Center, you need to know the "Ellie Stomp." It’s her signature fourth-quarter move. The stadium lights dim, a heavy bassline kicks in (usually LL Cool J's "Headsprung"), and Ellie marches around the court. Every time she stomps, a "Boom!" sound effect rattles the arena, and her "Stompahz" dance crew falls to the ground in sync.
It’s electric.
Tips for Fans:
- Arrive Early: The "tunnel walk" isn't just for the players. Ellie often does her own fashion reveal before the game.
- Watch the Sidelines: She spends a lot of time interacting with celebrities. She’s been seen vibing with Tyla, Ciara, and Jason Sudeikis.
- Check TikTok: Her best content is often the stuff you don't see on the broadcast, like her backstage tantrums or outfit changes.
The beauty of Ellie the Elephant Liberty is that she proves women's sports can be fun, glamorous, and a little bit ridiculous all at once. She isn't trying to be one of the guys. She’s busy being the Queen of Brooklyn.
To truly understand why the Liberty are winning on and off the court, you have to look past the stats and look at the elephant in the room. Literally. She’s the heart of the franchise’s rebrand and a masterclass in how to build a modern sports icon.
To follow the journey of the WNBA's most fashionable mascot, keep an eye on the New York Liberty's official social media channels and look for the seafoam green crown in the Barclays Center crowd. You can also track her latest custom "tunnel fits" on her dedicated Instagram and TikTok accounts to see which Brooklyn-based designer she’s highlighting next.