OKLAHOMA CITY, Thursday, August 13, 2009 – Rumble the Bison, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s team mascot, was named the NBA Mascot of the Year at the league’s annual mascot meetings in Las Vegas Wednesday night. Rumble was given the award by his fellow mascots, who recognized him for developing a mascot program that is regarded as one of the best in the NBA, even though it has only been in existence for six months.
Rumble told his fans of the award last night in a twitter message @rumblethebison.
Rumble made his NBA debut Feb. 17 at halftime during the Thunder vs. New Orleans game at the Ford Center. Since then, the crowd-pleasing mascot has not only performed at every Thunder home game, he’s also made hundreds of visits at various community events, including several with the Rolling Thunder Book Bus, presented by American Fidelity Assurance Company, which was also introduced last February.
Rumble continues to stay busy in the off-season by making appearances throughout the greater Oklahoma City region. He is also developing new routines and skits for the upcoming season, which he will debut on opening night Oct. 28.
The busy bison will next appear at the Thunder Summer Caravan presented by MidFirst Bank this Saturday in Yukon and El Reno. The Thunder Summer Caravan will be in Yukon at 9 a.m. at the MidFirst Bank located at 1201 W. Vandament and El Reno at 3 p.m. at the 100 N. Rock Island location. He will also be at the caravan stop in Tulsa on Saturday, August 22, at the MidFirst Bank located at 8015 E. 71st Street beginning at 11:00 a.m.
“We are honored that the NBA mascot community has recognized Rumble as the NBA Mascot of the Year,” said Brian Byrnes, the Thunder’s Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service. “A vote of your peers is the ultimate recognition, and we’re very proud of what this organization has accomplished in such a short amount of time. We extend a thunderous thank you to our fans and business partners for embracing Rumble as an extension of our brand and look forward to his continued involvement in our community.”