Who is the Highest Paid NBA Mascot?

Has it ever crossed your mind what the NBA mascots get paid? On average, it’s a pretty good salary, coming down to around $60,000 per year, all for being dressed up in your team’s official mascot suit.

However, the difference between the average pay and highest pay is jaw-dropping, which is why in this article, we’ll discuss the five highest-paid NBA mascots, including what team they’re the mascot for, how much they get paid annually, and how they impact fan engagement in the NBA.

5. Hugo the Hornet, Charlotte Hornets – $100,000 annually

Kicking off the list of highest-paid NBA mascots already with an annual salary sitting at around $100,000 is the Charlotte Hornets mascot, Hugo the Hornet. The four-time NBA Mascot Slam Dunk contest winner and two-time NBA Best Mascot Award winner has been an ‘A-List’ mascot since 1988.

While $100,000 is extremely high for a mascot’s pay, Hugo has done his job serving as the main source of sideline entertainment for Hornet fans, as well as serving as a team ambassador, preaching the importance of skills such as education and reading.

4. Go the Gorilla, Phoenix Suns – $200,000 annually

Go the Gorilla, nicknamed “Go” by the public, is one of the hairiest high-paid mascots in the league. As the sole mascot for the Phoenix Suns, Go the Gorilla earns a whopping $200,000 annually for his unending entertainment, including slapstick humor along with exhilarating stunts.

Much like the other mascots on this list, Go would make it into the NBA Mascot Hall of Fame and was even mentioned as the “Michael Jordan of mascots’ in ESPN’s “Origin of Species” series. So, it makes sense why the people playing the mascot earn such high pay.

3. Benny the Bull, Chicago Bulls – $400,000 annually

Coming in 3rd place for one of the highest-paid NBA mascots by a large margin is the Chicago Bulls’ beloved Benny the Bull. The Bull, the myth, the legend, Benny, earns approximately $400,000 annually for being one of the most popular mascots for a highly renowned NBA team.

Born in the 60s, Benny boosts fan morale with fun engagements during timeouts and halftime, including different dance routines, stunts, dunks, autographs, whatever you can think of! Benny supports the team’s social media accounts and participates in events all over Chicago, bolstering his position as one of the most popular and highest-paid mascots in NBA history.

2. Harry the Hawk, Atlanta Hawks – $600,000 annually

The Atlanta Hawks Harry the Hawk is unmatched, as there is currently no other bird that makes as much money as him, with an incredibly high annual salary sitting at $600,000. The dancing and dunking protege brings joy as well as hype to Hawks fans from all over, including community-based events that occur throughout the year.

It’s no surprise Harry easily makes the Mascot Hall of Fame, so he must be one special mascot, especially considering he earns well over half a million dollars per year for doing what he does best.

1. Rocky the Mountain Lion, Denver Nuggets – $625,000 annually

Currently, the highest-paid NBA team mascot is none other than the roaring ‘Rocky the Mountain Lion’, the mascot of the Denver Nuggets since 1990. Easily one of the most recognizable mascots out there, Rocky has yet to miss a single Nuggets game and provided amped energy to the crowd to get his team pumped up.

Not only will Rocky show up to the court, but he will also make plenty of appearances at community program events, schools, and professional sports, setting a great legacy for the Denver Nuggets. When it comes down to it, you won’t find a higher quality NBA mascot than Rocky the Mountain Lion, as a $625,000 annual price tag surely means the ferocious furry cat shows its value somewhere.