Insider Justin

In a thrilling turn of events, Florida's sports scene is on fire as both Stanley, the beloved mascot of the Florida Panthers, and Bernie, the charismatic mascot of the Miami Heat, are leading their respective teams to the finals. The two larger-than-life characters have brought not just a surge of excitement to their teams but also an unprecedented wave of anticipation across the state of Florida. The Sunshine State is buzzing with the prospect of back-to-back victories in the NHL and NBA championships. Stanley the Panther has been a staple of the Florida Panthers since 1995, charming fans with his playful antics and high-energy routines. Named after the coveted Stanley Cup, Stanley's heartening presence at every Panthers' game is believed to be a source of inspiration for the team. Stanley's spirit, coupled with the Panthers' tenacity, has played a key role in steering them towards the Stanley Cup Finals this year. Similarly, Bernie, the anthropomorphic flame-clad mascot of the Miami Heat, has been lighting up the NBA scene since 1988. Bernie's fun-loving nature and engaging dances have made him a crowd favorite. His vibrant personality mirrors the Heat's dynamic and powerful playstyle, which has been instrumental in their journey to the NBA Finals. For both Stanley and Bernie, the finals represent more than just an opportunity for their teams to win. It is a chance to ignite the pride of Florida, a state rich with diverse cultures and passionate sports fans. Their performances, much like their teams, reflect the determination, resilience, and spirit of Florida's people. As the two mascots rally their teams for the big showdowns, the camaraderie and friendly competition between them have given fans something extra to cheer for. The fact that both Stanley and Bernie are from the same state has sparked a "friendly state rivalry", adding another layer of excitement to these championships. It's more than just mascots leading their teams to the finals—it's a testament to Florida's spirit and its sporting culture. It's a celebration of the hard work, determination, and talent present in the state. And most importantly, it's a moment of unity, as fans across Florida come together to support their teams, rallying behind Stanley and Bernie. As the NHL and NBA Finals begin to get started, one thing is certain: the Sunshine State will be basking in the spotlight. Whether it's on the icy rinks with Stanley or the sizzling courts with Bernie, Florida is geared up to showcase its sports prowess. No matter the outcome, the journey of Stanley and Bernie to the finals has already brought much joy and pride to the state, proving that when it comes to sports, Florida is indeed a force to be reckoned with.

It’s the last day to cast your votes for the prestigious Mascot Hall of Fame. This year, we have a stellar line-up of mascots representing various sports organizations, from the NCAA to the NFL, MLB, NHL, CFL, and even an independent program. They have been entertaining fans and rallying their teams, and now they're up for your votes. Here's a rundown of this year's remarkable nominees: Rameses from the University of North Carolina brings the energy to every NCAA game, while TORO from the Houston Texans serves as the fierce NFL representative from the Lone Star State. Miles, the Broncos’ spirited horse, proudly represents Denver in the NFL, while Jaxson de Ville, Jacksonville Jaguars' dynamic cat mascot, has been thrilling NFL fans with his daredevil antics. The Blue Devil from Duke University is an NCAA crowd-pleaser, while Punter, the hardy elk from the Edmonton Elks, waves the CFL flag. From the NHL, we have Bailey, the lion mascot of the Los Angeles Kings, and YoJo, a health and fitness champion from an independent program, makes an unusual but highly commendable entry. Cozmo brings cosmic energy to every LA Galaxy soccer game in the MLS, while Goldy, the gopher from the University of Minnesota, keeps the spirits high in the NCAA. The NFL's Freddie Falcon from Atlanta Falcons flies high, while Otto the Orange brings a burst of cheer to every Syracuse University NCAA game. The Bearcat from the University of Cincinnati is a beloved figure in the NCAA, while Wally the Green Monster from the Boston Red Sox and Slugger from the Portland Sea Dogs represent MiLB respectively. Buzz the vibrant yellow jacket from Georgia Tech has been a long-standing NCAA favorite, while Blitz, the high-powered sea hawk from the Seattle Seahawks, makes his presence felt in the NFL. Finally, we have Staley Da Bear from the Chicago Bears, who embodies the strength and spirit of the NFL franchise. To cast your votes, head over to the Mascot Hall of Fame website. Click on the "Vote Now" button, and select your favorite mascots. Remember, your vote counts and could decide the fate of these mascots. This is your chance to make sure your favorite mascot gets the recognition it deserves. Make your voice heard and vote now! Keep in mind that voting closes today at Midnight CDT. Don't miss this last chance to support your favorite mascot in their quest for Hall of Fame glory. UPDATE Sun May 28th 1:00 AM EST. Voting is now Closed please stay tuned to us and Mascot Hall of Fame for results. VOTING IS CLOSED

After two years, Team Insider once again had the honor of attending IAAPA Expo 2022 and learning what’s new from the industry’s leading mascot manufacturers. We’ll start off with International Mascots LLC. Insider John interviews the wonderful Tom Sapp, who has been with International Mascots for quite some time. You also may notice in the background some friends from the Great Wolf Lodge and their own friend Patches who joins in as a surprise later on. Up next is our friends Costume Specialists. As many know, they are a unique company that specialize in both fur and inflatable fur costumes. It’s always a joy to interview them. Insider John sits down with President of Costume Specialists, Greg Manger about what’s new for them as well as how they’ve been handling the Covid-19 pandemic. We next move onto Creations JCT and Robot Costumes, which are mainly based in Mascouche, Quebec, Canada. They've made some cool mascots including Yuppi and more. John sits and talks with Jean-Claude, President of Creations JCT. Finally we are so excited to welcome a company new this year to the IAAPA Expo. We've talk with an awesome company called Loonie Times, which is based from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. They even have their own company mascot, which is displayed in the background of the video. John sits down with them and talks about what's new for them as they join the IAAPA Show Floor for the first time. Well that's it for our IAAPA 2022 coverage. It was an incredible year for IAAPA and lots of amazing things going on for sure. To celebrate a fantastic return for us here at IAAPA, we decided to have a little fun. Say hello to the IAAPA Bloopers. We hope you enjoy them and until next year, this is Team Insider signing off from IAAPA 2022!

Mascot Interviews Is Back and Mascot Insider is pleased to present an interview with Top Gunner the official mascot for the West Texas Warbirds take a read below. Can you tell the Fans a little about your Self and how you became to be the Mascot for Warbird Football Team? I'm Bishop Greene aka Mascot Sensei and I've been a mascot entertainer for over 20 years. I've entertained masses from high school to my collegiate days as Sammy the Bearkat for Sam Houston State. As semi-pro/ professional entertained for the Midland RockHounds ( minor league affiliate of the Oakland A's) and the Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL hockey). Which lead me to this new opportunity to entertain as Top Gunner. Interesting enough, the WTX Warbirds play in the same arena and the owner loved what he witnessed while I entertained the hockey fans and I was asked if I would be the mascot for their sports franchise. I said yes and the rest is history. It was exciting to be a part of creating a mascot for a new team and having complete control developing the character's persons from scratch. Your team has taken home the Championship Two Times so Far. And now you’re joining the NAL League in 2023 how excited are you for the Team and for yourself? I'm super excited about entering the NAL, where they not only the players and fans but also the mascots. They have a mascot of the year award and I am going to compete for the award next season! The West Texas Warbirds are undefeated and fully expect to be challenged next season. We have a target on our backs and we know it but I'm confident that we'll be ready for whichever team we play first. It's been a wild two years for us and our fans are starting gel with this franchise. Is there a Favorite Skit you've done in the Past on the Field or off the Field? One of my personal favorite skits was when I came out to the intro music of James Brown's "Living in America" in front of a baseball crowd in complete awe! It was July 4th and I rocked it!!! I've done skits that received way more appreciation but that one moment I appreciate so much because I introduced the Godfather of soul to a crowd that had no idea he existed! 🤣🤣🤣 Do you have a Pre-Game Ritual if so, what is it or if so, what do you do? I sometimes like to walk amongst the crowds entering the arena before the game begins and scope out fans that appear ready for fun times! I read crowds and navigate from there. How is a game structured for yourself (are you free to do as you please or is it be in a certain area until a certain time) As Top Gunner, it varies from game to game. There may be sponsored events that require my presence. Other times I'm able to improvise. This franchise has shown that it trusts my mascot experience and appreciates my ability to entertain our fans. Do you have a favorite Fan Interaction or Memory if so, what is it? I have certain things that I'll do for certain fans and it's just wit inside joke between the mascot and the fan. Every "penalty box heckle" moment is a favorite of mine. The crowds would get rowdy and I fed off of their energy. But the most memorable moment I had as a mascot was during my days as Sammy the Bearkat. I was standing on the sidelines of the football field and became (informally) introduced to the late Steve "Air" McNair as he was hit out of bounds. Steve later became the starting NFL QB of the Tennessee Titans. The moment was brief but never forgotten! We wanna thank Top Gunner and his pal Bishop Greene for taking the time to do an interview with us. You can follow Top Gunner on Twitter and follow some of his adventures on the Facebook as well. Plus you can also Follow his pal Bishop with his Facebook Page by Clicking Here.