Chicago Sky introduce new mascot, Skye the Lioness
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The new mascot of the Chicago Sky was introduced Monday.
Skye the Lioness posed with basketball in hand under the south lion at the Art Institute of Chicago for X, formerly Twitter.
The fierce female feline will make her debut Wednesday at Wintrust Arena, when the Sky host the Washington Mystics. Skye will also soon make appearances at the Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo.
Skye was chosen to embody the values of strength, feminine power, grace, and the courage to overcome articles, the Sky said.
According to the Sky, the lioness reflects the growth of the WNBA and fan feedback.
She was designed by mascot designer Tom Sapp of Real Characters Inc. and built by costume designer Randy Carfagno—who is also behind New York Liberty mascot Ellie the Elephant.
Meanwhile, longtime mascot Sky Guy will stick around through the 2024 season, but after that will be going the way of Ribbie and Roobarb—the White Sox mascots of 40 years ago who have long since been superseded by Southpaw.
Sky Guy, a rocketeer character, has been the Sky's mascot since the team's inception in 2006—nearly 20 years. He will appear with Skye the Lioness on Wednesday night.