How to Become an NBA Mascot

NBA mascots are some of the most beloved figures in the league.  With their silly routines, wacky maneuvers, and epic fails, mascots help to get the crowd involved with the game and are a  central piece to any NBA team.  And while, for many, the idea of standing in front of tens-of-thousands of people wearing a costume is absolutely terrifying, for others, becoming an NBA mascot is aa dream come true.

And for those who would love nothing more than to become an NBA mascot, we’re going to show you just how to do it.  Below, we are going to review how to become an NBA mascot and will also discuss the perks, salary, and benefits of being one.

What is the Purpose of an NBA Team Mascot?

Mascots have been used for hundreds of years and were typically used to garner interest and excitement about a particular brand or company.  And while mascots have evolved over time, both in design and usage, their purpose has generally remained the same.

Mascots, particularly in the NBA and other major league sports, help to build and strengthen brand identity.  Mascots also provide a visual association of an individual team’s brand and can help drive additional awareness and sales. 

And in the NBA, with constant trades, draft picks, and player retirements, a consistent mascot can help build brand loyalty and provide a central figure that fans can relate to and depend on, no matter the individual team’s roster or changes in ownership and management.

But even further, and especially in the NBA and as compared to other professional, major-league sports, the mascot plays an integral role in keeping fans engaged in the game.  Whether via halftime contests, raffles and. giveaways, or simply by acting silly and funny, the team mascot is seen as one of the main sources to keep fans engaged and interested.

Why Should Someone Consider Becoming an NBA Mascot?

The role of an NBA team’s mascot is not an easy one. There is immense pressure on that individual to not only complete particular routines and stunts successfully, but to also keep the crowd and fans engaged.  Similarly, NBA team mascots are expected to attend NBA events sponsored by their team and act as a representative for the team.

Whether a charity event or a fundraising effort, NBA team mascots are expected to don their suit and perform live and in-person as needed for the team. 

However, being an NBA team mascot can be immensely rewarding.  For starters, NBA team mascots can expect to be compensated roughly $60,000 per year, with additional incentives and bonuses tied to performance and team success.

In addition, as the face of a team and a representative for one, NBA mascots have the opportunity to brighten the day of fans and crowds alike.  Team mascots are often seen as jovial, silly, and fun and their presence is sure to bring a smile to any individuals face.

And lastly, as an NBA team mascot, you will have intimate, up close access to the home games, players, coaches, and arena personnel.  You will be seen as an integral piece of an NBA team’s success and will be treated well for your efforts and for the joy you bring to the fans.

Becoming an NBA Team’s Mascot

Becoming a mascot for an NBA team is not easy. With only 30 teams in the league, the opportunities to secure a position as a mascot are limited.  However, with determination, drive, and just a bit of luck, you can become a mascot for an NBA team.

To become a mascot for an NBA team, there are a few requirements needed and some that will help you to edge out other individuals auditioning for the position.  These qualifications and requirements will not necessarily guarantee you the position, but they will certainly help.

• Prior performance experience – perhaps above all else, prior performance experience is one of the most important qualifications needed to become an NBA team’s mascot.  Whether as a mascot for a minor league, collegiate, or high school team, those years of experience will help you to understand the role and the responsibilities which come with being a team mascot.

• Strong work ethic – as mentioned above, NBA team mascots are expected at all home games and for any additional team engagements and sponsorships.  As such, to be a team mascot, you will need to possess a strong work ethic and be willing to put in many hours of work throughout the NBA season.

• Good interpersonal skills and likeability – similarly, and as mentioned above, as you will be working and engaging with individuals from all walks of life, you will need to have great interpersonal skills and a likeable personality.  You should be jovial, excited, and happy while on the job and have an infectious personality that gets others excited.   

• Good crowd control – as an NBA team mascot, you will be in charge of controlling the mood of the crowd and ensuring they remain engaged and committed to the success of the team.  This means you will need to have good crowd control and be able to act in a spontaneous and whimsical manner to keep the crowd engaged.

• Performing arts experience – similarly, one of the most important skills you must possess are performing arts ones.  Whether acting, dance, comedy, or gymnastics, you should be able to utilize those skills to keep the crowd engaged and to properly perform the routines set by team management.

• Choreography skills – as a mascot, you will be asked to perform choreographic routines, typically with other performers and cheerleaders.  As such, having prior choreographic experience is a plus and can help you to secure the position.

• A cheerful attitude – when auditioning for a mascot position, having a cheerful, jovial, and excited personality can help you to showcase your overall attitude and ability to perform under stress.  And while not an explicit requirement, it is one that can help immensely in securing the role.

• General basketball knowledge – while you won’t need to possess the same basketball knowledge as Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan or LeBron James, to become an NBA mascot, you should have some general basketball knowledge.  This includes understanding what the big plays are, when a player scores, and when a defensive stop occurs.

• Ability to dunk from a trampoline – perhaps one of the more difficult requirements, but most NBA teams expect their mascots to be able to successfully dunk from a trampoline.  A crowd favorite, being able to dunk from a trampoline will help to keep the crowd engaged and is always one of the crowd favorites during the halftime show.

• Good understanding of social media trends – from TikTok to Instagram to Twitter, NBA teams are some of the most active social media influencers and publishers on those platforms.  And as the face of the team, you will be expected to work with, and coordinate on, social media posts with the team’s social media managers to provide useful, fun, and interesting content weekly.