{"id":110893,"date":"2024-10-06T02:27:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-05T19:27:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=110893"},"modified":"2024-10-06T02:27:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-05T19:27:47","slug":"shes-a-fashion-icon-and-social-media-star-how-ellie-the-elephant-took-the-internet-by-storm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=110893","title":{"rendered":"She\u2019s a fashion icon and social media star. How Ellie the Elephant took the internet by storm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-editable=\"content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\" data-reorderable=\"content\">\n<p>\n    <cite class=\"source__cite\"><br \/>\n      <span class=\"source__location\" data-editable=\"location\"\/><br \/>\n      <span class=\"source__text\" data-editable=\"source\">CNN<\/span><br \/>\n        \u00a0\u2014\u00a0<br \/>\n    <\/cite>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v03wa100043b6mdwd6auhv@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Just hours before the New York Liberty tip off Game 1 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/09\/30\/sport\/sabrina-ionescu-liberty-aces-sun-lynx-spt-intl\/index.html\">WNBA semifinals<\/a>, cameras are rolling to capture the arrival of one of the city\u2019s<strong> <\/strong>most celebrated athletes.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003k3b6mceeex1br@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Sporting a black-and-white printed Nike jacket, black leather shorts and silver bamboo hoops, she struts through Brooklyn\u2019s Barclays Center on her \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/style\/article\/nba-tunnel-walks-fashion-bof\/index.html\">tunnel walk<\/a>\u201d \u2014 the basketball world\u2019s equivalent of the red carpet.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003l3b6mye50u115@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            With a $420 Jacquemus+Nike swoosh bag in hand, her hips sway with every step. She flirts with the camera, twirling playfully (twice!) before stopping, leg out, in a pose that would make Tyra Banks proud.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003m3b6mnr7vnyem@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Even the rain outside can\u2019t deter her. She uses her umbrella like a prop, pointing it at the camera like the season\u2019s hottest accessory.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003n3b6mdgermmbm@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Some young fans are here to greet her. She\u2019s bashful when one presents her with a beaded friendship bracelet in the Liberty\u2019s colors, then does a little jig to show it off. After posing for a quick photo with the fan,<strong> <\/strong>she heads to the locker room to change into uniform.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003o3b6m8bsx6bld@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The athlete in question isn\u2019t Breanna Stewart, a perennial MVP candidate, or Sabrina Ionescu, one of the league\u2019s most lethal shooters \u2014 both beloved starters on the Liberty squad.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003p3b6m5l3jjhs1@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            It\u2019s the team\u2019s mascot: Ellie the Elephant.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v27g3h00043b6mj5m5qkw3@published\" class=\"image image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_0066.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6664\" data-original-height=\"1666\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0066.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container \" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"1666\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0066.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1666\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0066.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1666\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0066.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1666\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0066.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0066.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Ellie shows off her style at Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1666\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003q3b6mgdeclm7w@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            When Ellie \u2014 now in her usual jersey dress \u2014 ventures into the stands a few hours later as the Liberty face off against the Las Vegas Aces, the crowd\u2019s already electric energy intensifies.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003r3b6mf64tvabr@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Fans whip out their phones to record Ellie dancing atop the bleachers, swinging her signature braid (adorned with lights for the occasion) like a lasso. They scramble to take selfies with her before she makes a gravity-defying leap over the railing to interact with another cluster of fans.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003s3b6mbrf43kv1@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cShe\u2019s unmatched,\u201d says Neysa Lewis, a Liberty season ticket holder who\u2019s wearing an Ellie the Elephant shirt for the game. \u201cThere\u2019s no other mascot that could touch Ellie.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003t3b6m8ea994dd@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            It might seem unusual for a furry, anthropomorphic elephant to get a reception befitting the WNBA\u2019s best players. But this 10-foot-tall pachyderm, with halftime performances and a larger-than-life-persona that are as captivating as the play, is one of the rare mascots to become a star in her own right.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v2i2u100083b6madzrkjzz@published\" class=\"image_expandable portrait image_expandable__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_1007.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"1.5\" data-original-height=\"3750\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1007.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image_expandable__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_expandable__picture\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1007.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1007.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1007.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1007.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1007.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Neysa Lewis, who became a Liberty season ticket holder this year, sports an Ellie T-shirt for the big game.\" class=\"image_expandable__dam-img image_expandable__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_expandable__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v2hky400063b6mr3otpjhx@published\" class=\"image_expandable portrait image_expandable__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_1264.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"1.5\" data-original-height=\"3750\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1264.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image_expandable__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_expandable__picture\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1264.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1264.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1264.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1264.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1264.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Ellie whips her signature braid, much to the delight of the crowd.\" class=\"image_expandable__dam-img image_expandable__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_expandable__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003u3b6mx5s5bqv7@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The love for Ellie is not only a triumph for the Liberty, who are one win away from advancing to the finals for the second year in a row.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003v3b6m5ahon07d@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            It\u2019s also a victory for the WNBA, a league that only recently started receiving the attention long afforded its male counterpart.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003x3b6m4ki8y4vg@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Ellie the Elephant was born out of a rough few years for the Liberty.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003y3b6mam3mxpfv@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The team\u2019s original mascot was a golden retriever called Maddie, named for Manhattan\u2019s Madison Square Garden, the Liberty\u2019s home arena since the WNBA\u2019s first season in 1997. Then in 2018, after putting the team up for sale, the Liberty\u2019s then-owner James Dolan relocated the franchise to the suburbs \u2014 the new venue seated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/sports\/sporting-scene\/how-the-las-vegas-aces-and-the-new-york-liberty-changed-the-wnba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">significantly fewer spectators<\/a> and contributed to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketingbrew.com\/stories\/2024\/05\/15\/shana-stephenson-marketing-new-york-liberty-wnba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">huge loss<\/a> of season ticket holders.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj003z3b6m68ee40qb@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Joe and Clara Wu Tsai, co-owners of the NBA\u2019s Brooklyn Nets, acquired the Liberty<strong> <\/strong>in 2019, and a year later, the team<strong> <\/strong>moved to its present-day home of Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The move, along with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2020\/04\/17\/sport\/wnba-draft-sabrina-ionescu-top-pick-spt-intl\/index.html\">Liberty selecting Ionescu<\/a> with the No. 1 draft pick, offered a fresh start.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00403b6m6d3c8at8@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            It was clear that a rebrand was in order, says the Liberty\u2019s chief brand officer Shana Stephenson.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00413b6m39mm5zaw@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            While brainstorming new mascots, Stephenson says<strong> <\/strong>Liberty CEO Keia Clarke learned about a late 1800s<strong> <\/strong>stunt pulled by circus showman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyhistory.org\/blogs\/elephants-panic-brooklyn-bridge-1883\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">P.T. Barnum<\/a>, which involved marching 21 elephants across the Brooklyn Bridge to alleviate public fears about its stability.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v2isxb000a3b6ml9pljewf@published\" class=\"image image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_0088.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6668\" data-original-height=\"1667\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0088.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container \" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0088.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0088.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0088.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0088.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0088.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"The Liberty is capitalizing on the enthusiasm for Ellie with plenty of Ellie-themed merch.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00423b6mgcyzavwu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            From there, things fell into place. In 2021, Ellie the Elephant, a nod to Ellis Island, was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=S5j1URoi1-M&amp;t=41s&amp;ab_channel=NewYorkLiberty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">introduced<\/a> as the Liberty\u2019s new mascot.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00433b6mp73jjmds@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Stephenson says she wanted Ellie to be different from typical sports mascots \u2014 often buff, macho characters who dunk and do push-ups on the sidelines. Ellie was envisioned as  female to reflect the Liberty\u2019s strong and powerful women athletes, she adds.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00443b6mhyn54d1z@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            She also saw an opportunity to reach new audiences by tapping into Brooklyn\u2019s fashion, music and cultural scenes.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00453b6mpbyb1cql@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cBrooklyn drives New York culture. New York culture drives American culture. And American culture influences culture globally,\u201d she says. \u201cKnowing that this is a hub for such rich culture, it was really a key strategy of mine: How can we get younger? How can we become more diverse? How can we really be recognized as being authentic to what Brooklyn represents?\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00463b6m66q37ih3@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Ellie\u2019s persona and appearance is distinctly Black, femme and queer \u2014 something that can be attributed to a team of Black women behind the scenes, says Criscia Long, the Liberty\u2019s senior director of entertainment.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v2owk9000p3b6m7um8zcpw@published\" class=\"image image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_0965.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.666\" data-original-height=\"1665\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0965.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container \" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"1665\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0965.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1665\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0965.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1665\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0965.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1665\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0965.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0965.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Ellie's riveting performances keep fans glued to their seats at halftime.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1665\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00473b6mzn5jce1c@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Ellie<strong> <\/strong>has lashes and hair extensions; she wears sneakers and rocks hoop earrings on her floppy elephant ears. She carries handbags from the Black-owned Brooklyn brand Telfar.<strong> <\/strong>She gestures and speaks with a Black affect (heard only in Instagram and TikTok videos), punctuating her sentences with \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.urbandictionary.com\/define.php?term=tuh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tuhhhhhh<\/a>\u201d and \u201csis.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00483b6ms8hz084a@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            All of that, Long says, helps cultivate a welcoming atmosphere for fans who might not otherwise be interested in basketball.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004a3b6mc61a8t2f@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Back at the game, Ellie is working the room.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004b3b6mdrsd6hur@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The Liberty have taken an early lead against the Aces, and spirits and decibel levels in the arena are as high as ever \u2014 it\u2019s no wonder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecut.com\/article\/wnba-liberty-games-best-crowd-party-new-york.html?origSession=D231121nlsixleGeRbQ5Kyfedcu3L6M6H26JiDOLBEpe1aTTWw%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York Magazine<\/a> recently dubbed Liberty games \u201cthe best party in New York.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004c3b6mcj81lkeb@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Ellie, the team\u2019s resident party animal, isn\u2019t about to let that energy slip.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004d3b6m8f2c8qp3@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cShe really does just keep trying to get people energized and keep people excited about being here,\u201d says Susannah Pasquantonio,<strong> <\/strong>who sports a black T-shirt with various Ellie faces and the words \u201cNew York\u2019s Finest.\u201d<strong> <\/strong>\u201cShe\u2019s absolutely contributed to a good experience when they\u2019ve been through some ups and downs in a game.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004e3b6mhoao6d8j@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            From tipoff to the final buzzer, Ellie is constantly on the move, entertaining as many fans as she can. She protests when the referees make bad calls. She twerks, does headstands and maneuvers over railings in an incredible feat of athleticism.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v2l3bc000f3b6m4x3z68ye@published\" class=\"image image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_0726.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6668\" data-original-height=\"1667\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0726.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container \" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0726.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0726.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0726.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0726.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0726.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Fans light up as Ellie visits their section of the arena.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v4toms00023b6m642udn7p@published\" class=\"image image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_0736.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6668\" data-original-height=\"1667\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0736.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container \" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0736.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0736.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0736.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0736.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0736.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Fans watch as Ellie dances during the game.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004f3b6mr3a17dlx@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            In a matter of seconds, she\u2019s somehow made her way across the arena \u2014 Robert Taylor Jr., one of the \u201cStompaz,\u201d Ellie\u2019s team of personal handlers, says he burns more than 1,000 calories following her around the arena each game.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004g3b6m7o3fhief@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Arvetta Drumgold, a longtime Liberty season ticket holder, says the energy at Liberty games is \u201con another level\u201d from where it started. Attendance at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beyondwomenssports.com\/wnba-attendance-report-sept-15-update\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">home games<\/a> increased about 64% from 2023 to 2024, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsbusinessjournal.com\/Articles\/2024\/08\/26\/new-york-liberty-season-ticket-price-increase?publicationSource=morningbuzz&amp;issue=73a5789b859d44bba04eec24716a54fa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">season ticket membership<\/a> is up 130% year over year (a development that has led to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/onsi\/womens-fastbreak\/news\/new-york-liberty-fans-shocked-by-ticket-price-increases-01j6d2qf4ryx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sizable price hike<\/a> for the 2025 season).\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004h3b6mbsgsgqgy@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Those trends are also reflected more broadly in the WNBA.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004i3b6m7q5gwj7o@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Building on the steady growth of the last few years, the league smashed viewership and attendance <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wnba.com\/news\/wnba-delivers-record-setting-2024-season\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">records<\/a> this season. That\u2019s at least partly due to creative efforts by franchises such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsnaut.com\/wnba-tv-ratings\/amp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Liberty<\/a> to bring in new audiences \u2014 efforts that include Ellie.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004j3b6m19766f6d@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cIt\u2019s opening up what the mascot can be in really interesting and welcome ways,\u201d says Travis Vogan, a professor at the University of Iowa who studies sports and culture. \u201cAnd it complements more generally what the WNBA has been up to more recently.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004l3b6m65dlkmo7@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Since she was introduced, Ellie has transcended from a beloved local sports mascot into a cultural icon \u2014 thanks to the Liberty\u2019s social media savvy.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004m3b6myo43wj7p@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Videos of Ellie\u2019s riveting halftime performances, in which she cosplays<strong> <\/strong>as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C8kaLamO5Ku\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beyonc\u00e9<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bigellieliberty\/p\/CdWJx5qubSc\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mary J. Blige<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CsttrFKuC5-\/?locale=%25E5%259C%25A8%25E7%25BAB4%25AD%25E4%25B9%25B0%25E4%25B8%25B9%25E9%25BA%25A6TEF%25E8%25AF%2581%25E4%25B9%25A6%25E3%2580%2596%25E5%25A8%2581%25E4%25BF%25A1%252BTG%252F%25E9%25A3%259E%25E6%259C%25BA%253A%2540buth2788%25E3%2580%2597MPWGH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lil\u2019 Kim<\/a>, have attracted a sizable audience on social media (she currently has 113,000 followers on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bigellieliberty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a> and more than 178,000 on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bigellieliberty?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok<\/a>). Ellie\u2019s participation in the viral Bongos challenge prompted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@justwomenssports\/video\/7291082551643491590?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cardi B<\/a> to say she \u201cput me to shame.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004n3b6m7pjrotfx@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Ellie\u2019s fashion sense has earned her coverage in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vogue.com\/article\/ellie-the-elephant-new-york-liberty-mascot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vogue<\/a>. Earlier this summer, she graced the cover of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/newyork\/things-to-do\/new-york-libertys-ellie-the-elephant-on-how-to-have-a-hot-girl-summer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Time Out New York<\/a>. She\u2019s landed sponsorship<strong> <\/strong>deals with skin care brands and inspired a new colorway of <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2024\/shopping\/news\/where-to-buy-nike-sabrina-2-online-1236155662\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sneakers<\/a>.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v2mphv000j3b6mufazfh16@published\" class=\"image image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_0526.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6668\" data-original-height=\"1667\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0526.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container \" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0526.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0526.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0526.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0526.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0526.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Ellie poses for a selfie with a fan.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004o3b6mwz7kzmf2@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cEllie has such a huge presence on social media and has allowed us to reach fans globally,\u201d Stephenson says.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004p3b6mdc8ihydn@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            That global reach is significant for women\u2019s basketball, which has historically struggled to garner the visibility of male basketball players. Ellie\u2019s massive following and her promotion of the Liberty beyond gameday helps bridge that gap, Stephenson says.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004q3b6mf5ejg5cq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Much of Ellie\u2019s persona and social media presence comes from the performer inside the suit, says Long. She credits the performer\u2019s Brooklyn background and deep understanding of pop culture with Ellie\u2019s broad appeal.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004r3b6mwztnnl04@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            That\u2019s as much as she\u2019ll say on the topic. The Liberty are notably<strong> <\/strong>tight-lipped about Ellie\u2019s true identity, giving way to wild speculation<strong> <\/strong>about who it might be. Some fans have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DAeNw21SAe2\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">theorized<\/a> that Ellie is played by a man. Others have posited that Ellie is actually a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/NYLiberty\/comments\/1cv6x6n\/new_ellie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rotating cast of performers<\/a> (a theory Stephenson debunked, noting that the same person has portrayed Ellie since the character\u2019s introduction in 2021).\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004s3b6m8cr31pvn@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cI talk all the time with my friends about who Ellie is or how many Ellies there are,\u201d Pasquantonio, a fan at Game 1, says.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004t3b6m39zehp5v@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cIt\u2019s like \u2018The Masked Singer,\u2019\u201d adds Lewis, nodding to the popular reality TV series that features celebrities performing songs in disguise. \u201cWho really is Ellie?\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004u3b6mln9ytybo@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            As intriguing as the question is, both Pasquantonio and Lewis are at peace not knowing. The mystery, they say, is part of the magic.\n    <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cm1v16szj004v3b6mm4m1y3er@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"shes-building-enthusiasm-for-the-liberty-and-the-wnba\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n        She\u2019s building enthusiasm for the Liberty \u2014 and the WNBA<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004w3b6me6kjxbbz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Ellie brings more to the Liberty franchise than pure entertainment. She keeps fans engaged, and crucially, she makes<strong> <\/strong>money, too.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004x3b6m1c3rngfs@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            The gift shop in Barclays Center has a wall lined with Ellie merch: On this particular afternoon, there are Ellie pennants, pins and magnets. A new, seafoam green Ellie shirt is on display on a mannequin at the front of the store. The Ellie plushies, which several kids at the game are toting around, and the Ellie braid that were on sale earlier this season have long sold out.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v2nlhb000l3b6mvbzua6fd@published\" class=\"image_expandable portrait image_expandable__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_0121.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"1.5\" data-original-height=\"3750\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0121.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image_expandable__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_expandable__picture\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0121.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0121.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0121.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0121.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-0121.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"These seafoam green T-shirts are among many Ellie-themed items on sale at the gift shop.\" class=\"image_expandable__dam-img image_expandable__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_expandable__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"3750\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v2o6vm000n3b6mnjux6dzp@published\" class=\"image_expandable portrait image_expandable__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_1530.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"1.4992\" data-original-height=\"3748\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1530.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image_expandable__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_expandable\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_expandable--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_expandable__picture\"><source height=\"3748\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1530.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3748\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1530.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3748\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1530.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"3748\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1530.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1530.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Season ticket holder Arvetta Drumgold had her nails done to match the Liberty's colors.\" class=\"image_expandable__dam-img image_expandable__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_expandable__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"3748\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004y3b6mr9nx985g@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cFrom a fandom perspective, it seems to be increasing engagement with the team and, by extension, the league,\u201d Vogan, the University of Iowa professor, says. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be surprised, given the success of Ellie, if other teams create mascots that are operating out of a similar mold.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj004z3b6mcxl7rqvz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Other WNBA teams have indeed been in touch about how they can replicate Ellie\u2019s success, Stephenson confirms. Whatever the secret sauce, it\u2019s clear that the Liberty have achieved something special with Ellie.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00503b6mxis8wujo@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cI would go to a NY Liberty game just to see Ellie!\u201d one user <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bigellieliberty\/video\/7095797757109210414?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">commented<\/a> on a TikTok video of Ellie performing as Mary J. Blige.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00513b6maml3w71n@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Another wrote: \u201cI gotta hop Amtrak and catch Ellie in action.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00523b6mxdpgehid@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Lauren Ludwig is another recently converted fan. Game 1 of the semifinals was her third Liberty game \u2014 she attended her first-ever game this season after recently moving near Barclays Center, and the atmosphere has kept her coming back.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00533b6m695q87fb@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThere\u2019s so much energy, and all the other factors like Ellie and the dancers and the vibes,\u201d she says. \u201cEveryone\u2019s so happy, and it\u2019s so fun.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cm1v50kwf00043b6m33hgj0be@published\" class=\"image image__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-name=\"OLIVERIO_20240929_1459.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.6668\" data-original-height=\"1667\" data-original-width=\"2500\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1459.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<div class=\"image__container \" data-image-variation=\"image\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image__picture\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1459.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 960px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1459.jpg?q=w_1015,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(min-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1459.jpg?q=w_1160,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1459.jpg?q=w_680,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/oliverio-20240929-1459.jpg?q=w_1110,c_fill\" alt=\"Ellie is constantly finding ways to delight and energize the crowd.\" class=\"image__dam-img image__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1667\" width=\"2500\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00543b6mhd0wkqth@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            That\u2019s a key part of the strategy behind Ellie, says Stephenson. Come for Ellie, stay for Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and the other athletes on the Liberty\u2019s roster.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm1v16szj00553b6mkegvwbz2@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Judging by the rapturous crowd in attendance, the strategy seems to be working.\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/10\/05\/sport\/ellie-elephant-new-york-liberty-wnba-cec\/index.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CNN \u00a0\u2014\u00a0 Just hours before the New York Liberty tip off Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals, cameras are rolling to capture the arrival of one of the city\u2019s most &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=110893\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-110893","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-entertainment","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=110893"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110893\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=110893"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=110893"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=110893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}