What’s up, SLAM? It’s Ellie the Elephant – the mascot for the 2024 WNBA Champion New York Liberty! I know you’ve seen me going viral on your social media, gracing the red carpets, performing with your favorite artists, and, of course, dancing on the court and in the stands at New York Liberty games. Since the Liberty lifted the WNBA Championship Trophy last October, I’ve been booked and busy: photo shoots, fittings, appearances, rehearsals – you name it! Ask me what I’ve been up to since last season, and the answer is clear: I’m elevating… or ELLIE-VATING.
For those not yet initiated into my Herd, allow me to introduce myself. I have many names – Big Ellie, Big E, Ellie B, Ellie J. Blige – but you can just call me Ellie. You may be asking yourself two big questions: How on earth did the Liberty land on Ellie the Elephant for a mascot, and how on earth did that mascot end up on the cover of SLAM?
Or course we love the New York Liberty as a basketball team, but they also stand for culture and community – and that’s exactly what I’m here to represent. I was born into the Liberty family when we moved to Barclays Center in 2021 and have been bringing the vibes ever since – unforgettable dance moves, electric crowd energy, and countless viral moments. I embody the essence of the Liberty’s identity on and off the court: New York (shoutout to Brooklyn!), Empowerment, Equality, and Freedom. My name draws inspiration from both Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Elephants symbolize strength, power, wisdom, and determination. I’ve got stamina, loyalty, and a whole lot of heart – just like the Liberty and our incredible fans.
My roots in Brooklyn go way back. When Liberty CEO Keia Clarke and Chief Brand Officer Shana Stephenson were dreaming up a new mascot for our team to reflect our move to Brooklyn, Keia came across this fun fact of Brooklyn history: Before the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883, people weren’t sure of its structural integrity. So, what did Mr. P.T. Barnum, the legendary showman, do? He marched 21 elephants across the bridge to prove its strength. That moment was legendary, and now, I get to carry that legacy forward – proudly stomping through Brooklyn with the same spirit of strength and showmanship. Everything about me is unapologetically Brooklyn – my style, my performances, my voice. Like Brooklyn, I contain multitudes – I’m an artist, dancer, performer, and advocate.
My goal has always been to inspire and connect with as many people as I can. Our home games at Barclays Center are such a joy for me. I know that our fans come from near and far to the Liberty and me in action, and I want to give them every second of entertainment and joy that I can. On game day, you can find me everywhere from courtside to the suites and upper levels at the arena. I consider it my mission to welcome and shine love on each and every fan we welcome into our home. These are the things that make the Liberty game day experience unique and memorable – and what I’m most proud of.
Now, a word on the New York Liberty crowd: if you’ve been to a game at Barclays Center, then you know what I’ve always known — New York Liberty games are the best party in the city! Maybe the best party in sports — and don’t call me biased. Under the direction of Senior Director of Entertainment Criscia Long and Senior Manager of Entertainment Shenay Rivers, there is truly no show like Liberty entertainment. We perform for REAL.
It’s not just the trending moments you see on social media — my team and I believe in giving it our all, every play of every game. Like our fans, I do not play about my team. I am extremely passionate about maintaining a positive atmosphere in the arena so that my sisters on the court feel nothing but positive energy radiating from the crowd.
Watching the Liberty bring home our first WNBA Championship in 28 seasons was one of the most invigorating experiences I’ve ever had. The Liberty are an original franchise of the WNBA, and at that final game, you could feel the determination – the many years of history shifting into victory. New York fans were hungry, and the Liberty finally brought home our city’s first professional basketball championship in over 50 years! While some folks in the crowd might have been sweating those last few seconds, I was thinking about each and every Liberty legend, past and present, who paved the way for that moment – I was more sure than ever that our story was ending with a WIN. Turns out, it wasn’t the end of our story at all. Looking back, it almost feels like the beginning! After the confetti fell, the team launched into a truly surreal couple of days. The New York Liberty were everywhere: morning shows, late night shows, parading through the Canyon of Heroes in Manhattan with thousands of fans, holding the trophy up for New York and the world to see!
Since then, everyone’s been asking me what I’ve been up to during the offseason, which always makes me laugh. One thing you’ll learn about me is I’m never “off.” Being forever “ON” is one of my superpowers – it’s what’s enabled my limitless growth, especially in the last year.
When I’m not courtside at Barclays Center, I’m in rehearsals and training to truly take my brand to the next level. I have been making moves and strategically planning how to bring my Herd an even higher, ELLIE-vatedlevel of entertainment and content for the 2025 WNBA season. While many of my plans have yet to be revealed, I can say that my team and I have been brainstorming new looks, hustling on new deals, and crafting exciting moments on and off the court for Liberty fans. Everyone wants to know what and who I’ll be wearing in the tunnel this year. Trust me: My team has more than a few tricks up our sleeves, and we have our finger on the pulse of what the fashion girlies are loving these days.
Like many Brooklynites, fashion and how I represent myself through style means a lot to me. It’s a goal of mine to be viewed as more than a mascot, more than a dancer – I want to be viewed as an artist, an icon, an extension of the team and the spirit of the Liberty.
I’m not a traditional mascot, so I’m going to have a look that’s totally me. Every detail from nail to tail is intentionally crafted and curated by our team to reflect the culture and essence of Brooklyn. It started with introducing my now iconic braid. Look around Barclays Center on any given game day and you’ll see me – and Liberty fans at every level in the arena – swinging our braids around. Last season, we introduced my jersey dress, or the ‘Herzey,’ as I like to call it. So many people were talking about my new fit that we decided to officially sell them this season! I expect to see a sea of Herzey dresses at Liberty games soon.
Fashion was a big part of my brand and my story last year, and it still is, but I have my eyes on some other prizes too. My team is already making moves so we can take the Ellie brand to the next level. Maybe you saw the Liberty’s partnership with essie? I got my first manicure and became essie’s first-ever celebrity spokesperson! Remember what I said about looking good from nail to tail? So yeah, I’m thinking beauty, business, and beyond. I’m thinking about how I can really breakthrough in the business world and bring value to our partners, attract brands who vibe with the way we do things at the Liberty, and keep giving our fans the best experience every time they walk through the doors for a Liberty game. Don’t be surprised if you see me and my team in your boardroom talking business sometime soon. I want to continue my ascent to unforeseen heights, and I know that I can and will inspire people and brands to be limitless. I really do believe if you can dream it, you can do it – so just watch what I dream up next.
Can I tell you a secret, SLAM? I put the SLAM cover on my vision board back before the 2024 WNBA season, so to be the first mascot ever to be featured on the cover of SLAM is truly a dream come true. When I saw my girls Stewie, JJ, and Sab on the cover of SLAM 253, I knew it was time to hustle harder than ever before and make my dream a reality.
I’ve been thinking about what this honor means to me, and I created an acronym for what SLAM represents for me: Solidifying Legacy & Achieving Mastery. I’m so honored to be featured by a magazine that has chronicled the greats of basketball, and I am more inspired than ever to keep reaching for the next level of excellence. For me, it’s not about finding contentment in being good – or great, even. It’s about continual refinement, growth, and control over my craft. If I stopped at being a good mascot, I wouldn’t be writing to you all today. I truly believe when you use your gifts, you can redefine any role and bring unlimited value to it – and it all starts with being YOU. To see this come to fruition is a testament to my belief that when you have a vision, make a plan, and apply work to the faith: It. Will. Happen.
I was putting in the work well before my first real viral moment: long rehearsals, running around the arena making sure every fan felt shined on, hustling and preparing for the moment I knew was going to come. It all seemed to change for me when two of my Torch Patrol dancers (shoutout Jocinda and Eileen!) and I did a Cardi B dance challenge that was trending on TikTok. Imagine my surprise when I opened up my phone to see Cardi B herself commented and reposted. The next thing I know, I’m going viral on social media, giving interviews, doing photo shoots, Ciara’s team is calling me up to perform with her, I’m the first professional sports team mascot to have their own float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and before you know it – I’m on the cover of SLAM! Now I’m working harder than ever, and I couldn’t be happier. It brings me such joy to connect with fans – in person at Liberty games, over social media, and on the pages of their favorite magazines. My goal has always been to inspire as many people as I can to embrace life and live authentically.
I’m so excited for Liberty and WNBA fans to share in what we’ve been planning to bring the Ellie-vation to new heights this season. So much has been in the works, and I want everyone on the edge of their seats, so I won’t be revealing too much of my master plan here. If there’s one thing you can be sure of when it comes to Ellie the Elephant: Expect a show! The Liberty have been hard at work this offseason. I’m so excited to cut up with my new and returning Liberty besties, show off my new looks in the tunnel, and continue to share my love of dance and connecting with fans.
To all the Liberty fans out there, to my Herd near and far: I Stomp. You Stomp. We Stomp. Dream big, work hard, and always stay true to YOU. You never know – you may end up on the cover of SLAM one day too.
Portraits by Marcus Stevens.
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