When you walk into a Las Vegas Aces home game, you’ll often see a rabbit hopping around the court, hyping up the crowd, posing for photos, and participating in halftime antics.
That mascot is called BUCKET$, and he’s become an integral part of the WNBA franchise’s identity.
Here’s what we know about BUCKET$, how much a WNBA mascot can make (based on industry clues), and some fun trivia that brings this character to life.
What is BUCKET$? Origins and identity
BUCKET$ is depicted as a black-tailed jackrabbit native to the Mojave Desert, with purported origins in Utah and Texas.
According to the team’s official “Buckets” page, the mascot “hopped his way from the desert to Las Vegas in the Spring of 2018,” and was “found resting behind Michelob ULTRA Arena … pulled out of a hat by his foot by the Aces.”
The franchise embraced the rabbit, nicknaming him BUCKET$ (with the dollar sign), a pun fitting a basketball team in Las Vegas.
Over the years, BUCKET$ has gained popularity: in 2022, he earned his 3rd All-Star selection as a mascot, won the WNBA’s Mascot of the Year honor, and cheered on the Aces to their first WNBA Championship.
The website also lists fun personal preferences for his character:
Nicknames: Hare Jordan, Hare Raiser, Bad Bunny (not to be confused with the artist)
Favorite sneakers: Nike Cosmic Unity 2 “A’ja Wilson”, Air Jordan 1s, Kobe 6s – Grinch
Favorite movies: Space Jam, Hare-y Potter
Behind the costume, multiple individuals have portrayed BUCKET$; the current person took over before the start of the 2022 season.
Interestingly, that performer had previous mascot experience: in San Antonio, he portrayed mascots for the NBA’s Spurs and the WNBA’s Stars.
How much do mascots (Including BUCKET$) get paid?
Here’s where things get murky: there’s no confirmed public record of exactly how much BUCKET$ is paid. Team and league sources typically keep mascot salaries private. However, we can examine related data points.
A recent WNBA mascot job posting (for the new Golden State Valkyries) listed wages between $130 and $160 per hour for a part-time mascot role.
That suggests that, for appearances and gameday performances, mascots in the league can command premium hourly rates. Yet this doesn’t necessarily reflect a full-season salary or what the Aces pay BUCKET$.
By comparison, NBA mascot salaries offer a contrast. Some high-profile mascots reportedly make six-figure or even mid-six-figure yearly incomes.
For instance, Rocky the Mountain Lion of the Denver Nuggets has been cited as earning $625,000 annually.
Other NBA mascots like Harry the Hawk are reported to make around $600,000. But note: these figures often include bonuses, appearance fees, merchandise tie-ins, and other sources beyond base salary.
In short, while BUCKET$’ exact paycheck remains unknown, current job listings and crossleague comparisons indicate that a WNBA mascot could generate a meaningful income, especially through hourly gigs, game appearances, and marketing events.
Interesting facts & trivia about BUCKET$
The Aces storybook introduction claims BUCKET$ was “pulled out of a hat”, a fun touch that fits the entertainment flair of Las Vegas.
He celebrates key moments alongside the team: favorite moments include the 1st ever Aces game, winning the ’22 WNBA Championship, and every gameday with the Aces fans.
In his backstory, BUCKET$ has nicknames that play on basketball puns: Hare Jordan, Hare Raiser, adding character and wit.
The performer behind BUCKET$ had prior experience in San Antonio while the team was still the Stars, giving him crossleague familiarity with basketball mascoting.
BUCKET$ has also been used for fan events and appearances, the team website even offers booking options.
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