May 15, 2013 – Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull topped the 2013 list of “America’s Most Popular Sports Mascots” according to the annual survey of fans conducted by The Marketing Arm’s Davie Brown Index.
The results are based on research measuring fans’ views of sports mascots according to the following criteria: awareness, likability, attention-getting, photo-friendliness, interaction, and fun. Forbes.com annually publishes the findings from the Davie Brown Index.
“Benny the Bull has been an important member of the Chicago Bulls family for decades,” said Chicago Bulls President and COO, Michael Reinsdorf. “Benny is a constant source of entertainment and excitement at games, and we all are amazed at his athleticism, creativity, and energy. Benny brings a special joy to fans of every age, and we are so proud of him for being recognized as the number one mascot in the sports industry.”
Benny the Bull made his debut in 1969 and became the first mascot in NBA history. In addition to performing at every Bulls home game, Benny makes upward of 250 local and international appearances throughout the year. His passport includes performances in Shanghai, Hong Kong, London, Amsterdam, and Stockholm, and this fall he will travel to Rio de Janeiro to perform at the Bulls pre-season game. Benny currently has the largest social media following of any sports mascot in the world and continues to focus on reaching the highest standards in innovative fan interaction.