The Sacramento Kings have a lot of work to do, both on and off the court. In addition to the rebuild, they need to find a way to re-engage a fanbase that is getting increasingly frustrated and exhausted. That's where the Philadelphia Flyers come in. Sacramento needs their own version of Gritty.
Prior to the arrival of America's most unhinged mascot, the Flyers were one of two teams in the NHL without a mascot. That changed on September 24, 2018, when this gigantic, orange, furry monster climbed out of bowels of the new Xfinity Mobile Arena after being disturbed by its construction.
Immediate reaction to Gritty was mixed, partially because he looks and acts like a Muppet birthed by someone on an Absinthe bender. He quickly became a fan favorite in Philadelphia, across the NHL, and around the world. His over-the-top antics often go viral, and regularly cause children to cry.
What makes Gritty work is his connection to the fans, and embodiment of Philadelphia's spirit. Sure, he's big and lovable but he's also not someone you'd want to cross. Gritty attacked a person in a penguin costume repeatedly during the Flyers' recent playoffs series with Pittsburgh.
The Kings need a mascot upgrade as bad as they need a team rebuild
Sacramento currently has a lion mascot named Slamson who does the usual NBA mascot stuff. He interacts with fans in the arena, goes to community events, and performs with dunk teams in the arena and at other locations. There is nothing wrong with any of that. It's all perfectly fine.
The problem is that it's just fine. Sactown fans are incredibly loyal to the Kings, but even they can only take so much losing and broken promises from their team. The rebuild will hopefully improve the situation on the court, but the Kings are also going to need to do more for Sacramento.
That could mean bringing on a new mascot, or at least retooling the current one. No one is suggesting that they take Gritty, dye him purple, and slap a Kings' jersey on him, though that would be funny. Sacramento needs a version of Gritty with an attitude and exuberance that works for them.
This rebuild isn't just about gameplay; it's also about image. Slamson is a solid mascot as is, but the Kings need to take a step back and ask if he could be more. Gritty has become a cultural icon, not to mention a massive marketing and engagement success. The Kings need that magic, too.
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