Who is the New Orleans Pelicans' Mascot, Pierre the Pelican?

Last Modified Sep 14, 2023 16:03 GMT
New Orleans Pelicans Mascot Pierre the Pelican
New Orleans Pelicans Mascot Pierre the Pelican

Pierre the Pelican is the official mascot of the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA, and was introduced on October 30, 2013. The name of the mascot was chosen with the help of an online poll on the team’s website. The Pelicans were originally called the Hornets and their official mascot was Hugo the Hornet before Pierre the Pelican.

In 2014, the team announced that Pierre the Pelican had injured his beak while playing in a pickup game with other NBA mascots. He suffered a broken beak when fouled by Grizz, mascot of the Memphis Grizzlies, while driving to the basket. As a result, Pierre the Pelican went through reconstructive surgery.

New Orleans Pelicans Mascot Pierre the Pelican
New Orleans Pelicans Mascot Pierre the Pelican

New Orleans Pelicans Mascot Pierre the Pelican

The previous version of Pierre the Pelican was considered scary with his big eyes and blood red beak and tongue. He sported a blue jersey with matching blue gloves and shorts, blue eyebrows and a bluish accent on his yellow furry feathers and wings. The face was a bit oversized and had a vibrant red beak and mouth. Many Twitter users called it haunting.

The new version addressed the issue by redesigning the head and giving it a yellow cartoony beak. The mascot is now more kid friendly and generic. However, no information is available about the man behind the costume or his salary.

Pierre replaced Hugo the Hornet while the team rebranded itself from the Hornets to the Pelicans. Hugo the Hornet continues as mascot for the Charlotte Hornets and is on the list of top five highest paid mascots.

Pierre the Pelican is famous for entertaining the crowd in a bone-chilling way and is present at all the team’s home games. He also represents the team at various community events. NBA mascots can also be booked for a private event, with some of the top mascots charging around $750 per hour.

FAQs

A. Pierre the Pelican is the official mascot of the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA.

A. According to Tom Bensen, owner of the New Orleans Pelicans, there was no connection between the Hornets and New Orleans, which is why it was changed to the Pelicans, as it would relate to the city better. 

A. The New Orleans Pelicans were previously known as the New Orleans Hornets. They changed their name to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2013.

A. Antonio Daniels is the color commentator for the Pelicans.

Rate this Page!

Related Stories

"I'm nervous" - Mac McClung shares honest feelings on potentially making history with potential Slam Dunk Contest 3-peat "I'm nervous" - Mac McClung shares honest feelings on potentially making history with potential Slam Dunk Contest 3-peat
"I'm nervous" - Mac McClung shares honest feelings on potentially making history with potential Slam Dunk Contest 3-peat
GM Brad Stevens makes his feelings clear on rumors linking him to Indiana Hoosiers HC job GM Brad Stevens makes his feelings clear on rumors linking him to Indiana Hoosiers HC job
GM Brad Stevens makes his feelings clear on rumors linking him to Indiana Hoosiers HC job
2025 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest Odds: Is Mac McClung favored to 3-peat? 2025 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest Odds: Is Mac McClung favored to 3-peat?
2025 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest Odds: Is Mac McClung favored to 3-peat? 
"Panic in the disco there" - NBA fans hilariously react to Kai Cenat botching layup against WNBA champion "Panic in the disco there" - NBA fans hilariously react to Kai Cenat botching layup against WNBA champion
"Panic in the disco there" - NBA fans hilariously react to Kai Cenat botching layup against WNBA champion
"This arena gives me nightmares" - James Harden shares honest feelings on his return to Warriors' arena for NBA All-Star Weekend "This arena gives me nightmares" - James Harden shares honest feelings on his return to Warriors' arena for NBA All-Star Weekend
"This arena gives me nightmares" - James Harden shares honest feelings on his return to Warriors' arena for NBA All-Star Weekend
1d
"Why would he want to face all that B.S. again?" - Steve Kerr co-signs Kevin Durant's reluctance to reunite with Steph Curry on Warriors "Why would he want to face all that B.S. again?" - Steve Kerr co-signs Kevin Durant's reluctance to reunite with Steph Curry on Warriors
"Why would he want to face all that B.S. again?" - Steve Kerr co-signs Kevin Durant's reluctance to reunite with Steph Curry on Warriors
Lebron James' ex-Lakers teammate Michael Beasley arrested for marijuana possession while boarding plane: Report Lebron James' ex-Lakers teammate Michael Beasley arrested for marijuana possession while boarding plane: Report
Lebron James' ex-Lakers teammate Michael Beasley arrested for marijuana possession while boarding plane: Report
4h
Dalton Knecht reveals "best advice" he received from D'Angelo Russell: "Don't care about how you did" Dalton Knecht reveals "best advice" he received from D'Angelo Russell: "Don't care about how you did"
Dalton Knecht reveals "best advice" he received from D'Angelo Russell: "Don't care about how you did"
Giannis Antetokounmpo pulls off a 'Centel' after hyping $14,000,000 Kai Cenat's 4-point display in Celebrity All-Star game Giannis Antetokounmpo pulls off a 'Centel' after hyping $14,000,000 Kai Cenat's 4-point display in Celebrity All-Star game
Giannis Antetokounmpo pulls off a 'Centel' after hyping $14,000,000 Kai Cenat's 4-point display in Celebrity All-Star game
La La Anthony drops 3-words to hype Drake & PartyNextDoor's latest album ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’ La La Anthony drops 3-words to hype Drake & PartyNextDoor's latest album ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’
La La Anthony drops 3-words to hype Drake & PartyNextDoor's latest album ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’
21h
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications