The WNBA’s New York Liberty game against the Washington Mystics on September 9 had more than basketball on the schedule.
At halftime, Ellie the Elephant stepped into the spotlight with a tribute to Mary J. Blige that had the Barclays Center crowd pulling out their phones.
Ellie rolled onto the court in full Blige-inspired fashion. The mascot sported knee-high boots, a cheetah-print outfit, and a platinum blonde wig, all nods to the R&B legend’s signature looks over the years.
The details were locked in, but the performance was what sold it. Backed by a squad of dancers, Ellie delivered choreography to a mix of Blige tracks, including “Be Happy” and “Just Fine.” Fans quickly caught on to the mascot’s repeated take on the famous “Mary Strut,” which Blige has made a concert staple.
The reaction was immediate. Cheers filled the arena while Instagram lit up with clips of the routine. Essence posted footage from courtside, and the comment section turned into a running review of Ellie’s moves.
“Ellie gotta be protected at all costs. This is legendary,” one fan wrote. Another user noted, “That HAS to be a Mary fan, they nailed it!” A third added a twist with, “Masked Singer episode on!?… Mary, is that you?” The energy online matched the crowd inside the arena, with fans treating the moment like a crossover between sports and music.
Blige hasn’t weighed in yet, but the tribute was unmistakable. From the fashion choices to the choreography, the halftime set doubled as both entertainment and homage.
Ellie the Elephant has only been around since 2021, but the mascot has already become a fixture for Liberty fans.
According to the team, Ellie was designed to embody traits tied to both elephants and the franchise itself: strength, wisdom, determination, loyalty, and resilience. In practice, Ellie has become a crowd favorite, balancing playful antics with performances that connect to New York culture.