Release the Kraken Mascot Already!
Jonathan West
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Squatch
Seattle still has a big heart for its lost basketball team. The hockey team and arena both know it. Even though the Supersonics left 13 years ago, Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp have been a part of the Kraken launch since the July expansion draft. And don’t forget about Shaq moving into the Greenhouse with his Big Chicken.
I am campaigning HARD that the NHL team that #Seattle is getting should have Squatch from the #SuperSonics be their mascot. Then when we eventually get the Sonics back we’d have the first ever 2 team mascot. Let’s make Squatch the Deion or Bo Jackson of mascots. pic.twitter.com/OZQUY0gDHj
— Jeff Dye (@JeffDye) May 17, 2019
The celebration for Lenny Wilkens’ birthday was special, but don’t bet on Squatch arriving before the Sonics return- or prepare for a backlash. The only way this happens is if the big hairy myth is announced at the same time as the round ball team’s return– becoming a dual mascot.
Doctor John A. Zoidberg
Since opening night, this season ticket holder sits with his wife in section 11 and has suited up as the decapodian crustacean from the TV sci-fi cartoon Futurama. Understandably, the Kraken have been cautious about close human contact, but this guy is the original when the team had none. Just like the new local organist who was also in the movie Slapshot, the Climate Pledge Arena hockey game experience needs more local flavor.
Photo by Jenny M.
He said, “I’ve dressed up as Zoidberg for the past several years at Emerald City Comic-Con. When Seattle announced their team name as the Kraken, I figured that Zoidberg- if he was a hockey fan, would root for the Kraken. In addition, I saw a lot of mentions about the Kraken, and the ‘Why Not Zoidberg?’ meme together and figured I could make this happen.”
Photo by Jenny M.
I love this local versus sea creature angle, and one would think co-owner Jerry Bruckheimer might have some animated comedy friends in Hollywood to share the rights. But the league tends to fill these mascot roles with professional performers and unique characters. And a homeless doctor in outer space with a confused understanding of human medicine might not be the best backstory. ?