Hugo, also known as Hugo the Hornet, is the mascot of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Designed by Cheryl Henson, daughter of Jim Henson, Hugo was created in 1988, one year before Hurricane Hugo hit the Carolinas. Hugo was the mascot for the New Orleans Hornets until 2013, when he jumped off a trampoline through a ring of fire during a match between the Hornets and the San Antonio Spurs in 2008. Hugo was a four-time winner of the NBA Mascot Slam Dunk Championship.
The Charlotte Bobcats rebranded back to the Charlotte Hornets for the 2014-2015 season, where Hugo was reintroduced as the current mascot. Hugo was the mascot for the original Hornets (now the New Orleans Pelicans) from 1988–2013, before taking over as the mascot of the second Hornets franchise in 2013. The final round of voting begins today through Saturday, October 23.
Hugho has been with the Hornets since 1988, toiling away in Charlotte and New Orleans. After the return of the franchise to Charlotte, the Bobcats became Hornets in 2014. Hugo’s costume is a blue hornet with purple stripes, similar to the team’s logo. The team honored their mascot with a retrospective during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game.
📹 My time as Hugo: Charlotte man reflects on career as the Charlotte Hornets mascot
Upon transitioning to a career in Sales, Michael Zerrillo quickly discovered the grind never stops. Thanks for stopping by Queen …
What is the Hugo bee mascot?
Hugo the Hornet, also known as Hugo the Hornet, is the mascot of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Designed by Cheryl Henson, the mascot was chosen from over 6, 000 fan suggestions and was inaugurated during the Hornets’ first season. After Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the Hornets announced that the Hugo moniker would remain, and the mascot’s name would not be changed to Hoser or Hank. In 2008, during a game between the New Orleans Hornets and the San Antonio Spurs, Hugo jumped off a trampoline through a ring of fire and dunked a basketball.
The arena crew used the wrong fire extinguisher, causing the arena to fill with smoke and causing a 19-minute delay. NBA Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Stu Jackson canceled the halftime show and fined the team. TV commentator Charles Barkley dared Hugo to repeat the stunt after the 3rd quarter, continuing to call out him throughout the night and the next game.
How tall is Hugo the Hornet?
A decade ago, an advertising agency employed the services of two 19-foot-tall Hugo the Hornets for a billboard campaign in Charlotte. The insects remained in situ for a period of less than one year before being removed and discarded in a scrapyard. They survived for a further nine years before being discovered by urban explorers.
How old is Hugo the turtle?
The Galapagos tortoise, designated as Hugo, has attained a significant age of 73 years.
When did mascots become a thing?
Sports teams in the United States have official mascots, sometimes enacted by costumed humans or live animals. The Chicago Cubs had a taxidermy mount in 1908 and later a live animal in 1916. The concept was abandoned shortly thereafter, and the team introduced a version in 2014 that was a person wearing a costume. In the United Kingdom, some teams have young fans become mascots, sometimes with medical issues or as a wish grant. Mascots can also include older people, such as Mr England, who are invited by national sports associations to be mascots for representative teams.
One of the earliest mascots was Ken Baily, whose John Bull-inspired appearance was a regular at England matches from 1963 to 1990. In 1989, University of Miami mascot Sebastian the Ibis was tackled by police officers for attempting to put out Chief Osceola’s flaming spear. Sebastian was handcuffed by four officers but ultimately released.
What was the first official mascot?
Waldi, a dachshund, was the first official mascot of the Olympic Summer Games. He is renowned for his endurance, tenacity, and agility. The mascot’s light blue head and tail, along with a striped body featuring at least three of the six Olympic colors, was designed by the Munich Games Organising Committee. The 1972 Olympic marathon route was modeled after Waldi’s shape, starting at the neck and running counterclockwise. Waldi was born on December 15, 1969, at a Munich Games Christmas party.
Why did the Hornets change their name?
The Hornets were named in reference to the relocated Charlotte Hornets, who played their inaugural game in New Orleans. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there was a sentiment among some that it was time to adopt the state bird as the team’s emblem, while Charlotte expressed a desire to revert to its former name.
What is the oldest mascot still in use?
The Quaker Man, the oldest branded mascot, was named after William Penn, founder of the Province of Pennsylvania. The company identified the Quaker Man as William Penn in advertising dating back to 1909. Lorraine Collett, a fruit packing company worker, was hired to promote the California Associated Raisin Co. in 1915. Her likeness was trademarked and she began appearing on packing in 1916. The company adopted the “Sun-Maid Raisin Growers’ Association” in 1920, leading to a 3x increase in America’s raisin consumption. The red bonnet she wore is now in the Smithsonian Institution.
Mr. Peanut, the mascot of Planters Peanuts, was introduced in 1916 after schoolboy Antonio Gentile drew an anthropomorphic legume for a design contest. Commercial artist Andrew Wallach added the monocle, top hat, and cane to the character. By the mid-1930s, Mr. Peanut represented the entire peanut industry, appearing on almost every Planters package and advertisement. He appeared in TV commercials and cartoons, with the most recent stunt being a $5 Million Super Bowl commercial “killing” the character and introducing Baby Nut, who eventually grew into Peanut Jr. and is now back to Mr. Peanut.
When did the Hornets get their name back?
The Charlotte Bobcats, a new team established by the NBA, began competing in the 2004-05 season. In 2006, former NBA player Michael Jordan acquired a minority stake in the franchise and became its managing member of basketball operations. In 2010, Jordan’s ownership group purchased a majority share of the franchise. In 2013, the Bobcats announced they would begin playing under the Charlotte Hornets name in the 2014-15 season.
The Hornets were retconned as having suspended operations from 2002 to 2004, while the Pelicans are now considered a 2002 expansion team. In August 2023, Jordan sold his majority stake in the Hornets to investors led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, retaining a minority share in the team’s ownership.
In 1985, the NBA planned to expand by three teams by the 1988-89 season, later modified to include four expansion teams. George Shinn, an entrepreneur from Kannapolis, wanted to bring an NBA team to the Charlotte area, which had long been a hotbed for college basketball and was one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.
How much does Hugo the Hornet make?
NBA mascots earn a significant salary, with Hugo the Hornet earning $100, 000 per year, followed by Go the Gorilla at $200, 000. Benny the Bull earns $400, 000, Harry the Hawk at $600, 000, and Rocky the Mountain Lion at $625, 000. These salaries are significantly higher than those in other major sports leagues like the NFL, MLB, and NHL.
In the NFL, mascot salaries are less competitive, with entry-level mascots earning between $25, 000 and $50, 000 annually, with the average mascot earning up to $60, 000 annually. Unlike the NBA, where some mascots reach six-figure salaries, such figures are less common in the NFL. This comparison provides valuable context and depth to the complex landscape of mascot economics.
In conclusion, NBA mascots earn a significant salary compared to other major sports leagues, such as the NFL, MLB, and NHL. Comparing salaries can provide valuable insights into the complex landscape of mascot economics.
Is Hugo actually Hugo Boss?
In 2024, Hugo BOSS will celebrate its centenary, having been founded in 1924 in Metzingen, Germany. The company’s current portfolio encompasses BOSS and HUGO women’s wear, footwear, leather goods, and international sports sponsorships. The company is concentrating its efforts on innovation and future-oriented strategies through the newly launched initiative, SHAPE. The TOMORROW initiative is based on the CLAIM 5 strategy.
Why is the Hornets mascot named Hugo?
Hugo, selected from a pool of over 6, 000 fan suggestions, was introduced as a team name for the Charlotte Hornets in 1988. However, the following season, Hurricane Hugo caused significant disruption, prompting the team to consider changing his name.
📹 HUGO THE HORNET! Hornets 30th Anniversary Feature
In the latest Hornets 30th Anniversary Feature, we take an in-depth look at our beloved mascot, Hugo! BEE HERE for the …
Add comment