USA Today Names Rumble the Bison Best NBA Mascot
Oklahoma City's signature mascot earns the top honor in the latest USA Today Sports Readers' Choice Awards.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball
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USA Today Sports readers have officially voted Rumble the Bison as the Best NBA Mascot. The recognition follows a public online voting process managed by a panel of sports experts.
Why it matters
This award highlights the ongoing popularity and community engagement of one of the NBA's most recognizable figures. Rumble remains a staple of the Oklahoma City basketball experience.
Rumble maintains a digital presence of more than 61,000 Facebook followers and participates in over 200 community events annually. The mascot previously secured the NBA Mascot of the Year title in 2009.
The players
Rumble the Bison
Rumble is the official mascot for the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team.
USA Today Sports
This media organization manages the Readers' Choice Awards and curates panels of experts for sports industry recognition.
The details
Rumble, who is officially linked to a fictional backstory in the Arbuckle Mountains, continues to serve as a central figure for fans in Oklahoma City. The award selection was curated by USA Today Sports experts before being put to a public vote.
Timeline
Rumble received NBA Mascot of the Year honors in 2009.
The mascot won the inaugural NBA Mascot Community Impact Award during the 2021-22 season.
Season Trajectory
This accolade reinforces the status of Oklahoma City as a premier franchise for fan engagement and in-arena entertainment. It bolsters the team's standing in the league's off-court competitive landscape during the current season.
The award confirms the mascot's role as a primary touchpoint for community outreach and fan interaction across the region. Fans can expect to see the award-winning mascot remain a focal point at home games and public events throughout the season.
The takeaway
Rumble's consistent engagement efforts demonstrate how mascots remain vital to team-to-fan connections. Readers looking to connect with the mascot can track the team's annual schedule to find upcoming appearances.
Further reading
Learn more about the local team culture in the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News On 6.
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