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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesCriscia Long helped shape Ellie the Elephant into more than a courtside mascot: she is a high-energy performer, a Brooklyn character and a point of connection between the New York Liberty and its fans. Long, identified in 2024 as senior director of entertainment for the Liberty, Brooklyn Nets and Long Island Nets, describes a creative process built around those deliberate choices.
Who is Criscia Long, and what does she do for Ellie?
Long is one of the creative leaders behind Ellie. Brooklyn Paper identified her as senior director of entertainment for the New York Liberty, Brooklyn Nets and Long Island Nets, and described her as one of Ellie’s “aunties.” In an interview with Women’s Health, Long said, “The thought process of creating Ellie, it was very, very intentional.” She worked on the character with Liberty CEO Keia Clarke and Chief Brand Officer Shana Stephenson.
Here, “Auntie” is an affectionate name for the creative team around Ellie, not a formal job title or a claim about one person’s relationship to the performer. Sports Illustrated described the group as Black women who jokingly call themselves Ellie’s aunties and help shape her style and public identity.
Why did the Liberty choose an elephant named Ellie?
The Liberty made Ellie its official mascot ahead of the team’s move to Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2021. The team’s official Ellie page presents the elephant as a symbol of strength and determination, tied to the Liberty’s community and Brooklyn identity.
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- Measures approximately 9" long x 8.5" wide, when sitting down
The choice also draws on local history. The team connects Ellie to the story of P.T. Barnum’s elephant crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, a piece of the borough’s past that Long and other coverage use to explain the character’s connection to Brooklyn. Long also links Ellie’s name to Ellis Island and the identity of the boroughs. As she told Women’s Health, “You can take Ellie anywhere in the world and you’re going to feel Brooklyn.”
How did the creative team design Ellie’s personality?
Long’s design brief centered on movement and audience connection. In her interview with Brooklyn Paper, she said Ellie needed “to be high energy” and “to be athletic,” while inviting people in and making them curious enough to learn more about the character. Long summed up the ambition this way: “We knew that this person had to be a big energy.”
Rank #2
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That energy is meant to translate into a personal exchange, not just a visual presence at a game. Long told Brooklyn Paper: “You can feel it; you feel like you’re having a true conversation because this person actually understands what it means to be a Brooklynite for sure.” That fan interaction is central to how Ellie works as a live character: she can respond to people in the arena while embodying the team’s intended Brooklyn spirit.
Why are Ellie’s clothes part of her identity?
Ellie’s fashion extends the character beyond her costume and performance. Sports Illustrated reported that her custom looks draw on Brooklyn and Black cultural identity, with collaborations involving Black and Brooklyn-based designers. The outlet named Stark and Rare Breed BX in connection with jersey dresses, and also discussed Ellie’s bags in relation to Telfar.
Rank #3
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For Long, the character’s identity is inseparable from that local signal. She told Sports Illustrated, “Ellie as a mascot really has such a huge identity that represents Brooklyn.” The outfits offer another way to communicate that identity, alongside the character’s athletic energy and interactions with fans.
Who performs as Ellie?
The performer’s name is not public in the cited reporting, and there is no reliable basis to identify them by speculation. Brooklyn Paper reported that the performer is from Brooklyn and has portrayed Ellie since the mascot’s introduction. The person inside the costume remains distinct from the public-facing character and the creative team Long describes.
Rank #4
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Can fans buy Ellie merchandise?
Sports Illustrated reported that Ellie merchandise has included plushies, pennants, T-shirts and replicas of her braid. That report does not establish which items are in stock now or where they can currently be purchased, so availability should be checked through current team or retailer listings.
Sports Illustrated reported in 2024 that Ellie had more than 180,000 TikTok followers and 120,000 Instagram followers at that time. Those are historical figures from the outlet’s coverage, not current audience totals.
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