Recent Ill-Advised Mascot Choices

Sometimes you've got to wonder what sports teams were thinking about when they chose particular mascots. Get people talking? No publicity is bad publicity? For example, we all remember the walking nightmare that was the New Orleans Pelicans' first stab at a new mascot, right? 

And who could forget the infamous Brooklyn Knight of 2012-2014? He represented some questionable decision-making on the part of…someone.

Creepy mascots have been pointed out before, but there have been a few particularly questionable choices in the recent past—some of which you might not have seen yet. Enjoy, and you're welcome.

Chuck the Condor

The Los Angeles Clippers introduced their new mascot, Chuck the Condor, at a Feb. 29 game against the Brooklyn Nets. The reaction hasn't exactly been warm and welcoming:

Some Internet folks have even wondered if Chuck bears any resemblance to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer:

Chuck isn't "creepy," per say. Perhaps "unusual" is a better word. Also, given the Clippers' nickname originated from sailing ships, his species doesn't exactly make a ton of sense.

The Salford Red Devil

Talk about a mascot who kinda/sorta looks like the team owner. When Dr. Marwan Koukash took over the English rugby team in 2013, he changed its name, and of course, that meant a new mascot:

But for real, dude looks just like him. Koukash even said in 2014, "I am a devil who is addicted to a sport played by true gladiators," per Neil Barker of the Manchester Evening News. Did he have a hand in creating a mascot in his own likeness? Seems at least possible, doesn't it? 

King Baby Cake

The New Orleans Pelicans swung and missed with Pierre the Pelican 1.0, but they still don't seem to care too much about weirding folks out. King Baby Cake has been around for a few years as part of the Pelicans' Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and his presence continues to reach new, confusing heights each year:

That's right, he's back in 2016, hanging out at grocery stores and scaring the pants of poor, unsuspecting souls. Seriously, why is this a thing?  

Japanese Sunwolves

If you're into terrifying Halloween costumes, look no further. The Japanese Sunwolves Super Rugby team just unveiled this supervillain: 

The wolf's name is the subject of some debate, but his scare power is undeniable. Those green eyes look like they could sear your very soul. Isn't at least part of the point of mascots to help engage young fans? Causing kids to run away screaming is probably not the best tactic for that. 

Kingsley

The sun is a beautiful, blazing star. One would imagine a sun mascot would follow suit and be made bright and lovely. Not Kingsley:

The new mascot of Scottish football club Partick Thistle FC was unveiled in June. Does he seem like the type of cuddly creature kids would want to meet? Sure, he might be artistic, but Kingsley doesn't seem quite like "mascot material":