Benny the Bull

Benny the Bull, commonly known as Benny, is the mascot of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Chicago Bulls, a role he has filled since 1969. Biography / retired versions Benjamin T. "Benny" Bull, has been the mascot of the Chicago Bulls for more than 50 years first at Chicago Stadium (1969–1994), and now at the United Center (1994–present). He has become just as popular as some of the franchise's most notable figures, such as players Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and head coach Phil Jackson. Benny is one of the longest-tenured mascots in the NBA and in all of professional sports. Benny was named after Ben Bentley, the Bull's first Public Relations Manager and Stadium Announcer. Benny was one of the promotional tools general manager Pat Williams employed to boost the Bulls' arena entertainment and attendance. The current and most popular Benny has had many "relatives" or family members over the years. His great-grandfather, in the late 1960s, was the first NBA mascot. Along with Dick Motta and Jerry Sloan, he was ejected by Earl Strom for interfering with the action on the court in the Bulls' 113–90 loss in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at the Milwaukee Arena on April 20, 1974. Many other variations/family members of the bull where passed on to different ones, including Benny's chubby predecessor (or father) in the 1990s. A slim, dunking bull mascot named "Da Bull" was added at the time. According to an article on the Bulls' website: "Da Bull is Benny the Bull's cousin, and he made his first appearance at a Bulls game during the 1995–96 season. That is why his uniform number is 95. Among Da Bull's many talents are tumbling, gymnastics, playing basketball, break dancing, reading, officiating basketball games, and most importantly, performing his signature slam dunks.