The concept of mascots is prevalent in various fields, including sports, entertainment, and even cultural events. Mascots serve as symbols or representatives of a group, organization, or event, often embodying the values and characteristics associated with the entity they represent. In the world of sports, mascots play a significant role in entertaining and engaging the audience during games and events. They often add an element of fun and excitement to the atmosphere, while also being used for promotional purposes. Over the years, mascots have become iconic figures in sports, with some achieving immense popularity and recognition. Looking ahead to the year 2023, it is interesting to contemplate what mascots could be seen in various sporting events or competitions.

2k23 mascots

• CBS Sports: The NCAA Division I Council has voted to create standards for name, image and likeness contracts in an effort protect athletes. The decision came during the organization's annual convention on Wednesday.

The NCAA will compile standard terms for NIL contracts to ensure that athletes are not taken advantage of by misleading terms from collectives. It will also work with schools and collectives to distribute aggregate NIL data to bring some transparency to the market.

Additionally, the NCAA plans to create a registry of approved agents based on feedback from previous clients in an attempt to limit bad actors. Full story here.

• AP Sports: LeBron James and his son, Bronny, will appear together on a unique sports trading card to herald the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s new multiyear partnership with Fanatics.

The top scorer in NBA history has signed with Fanatics Collectibles, the trading card division of the online sports retailer. Neither side disclosed the terms of the deal announced Wednesday. James had been partnered with Upper Deck since 2003.

LeBron James and Bronny will appear together on a special card available Jan. 19 in the 2023-24 Bowman University Chrome Basketball set. LeBron will wear his high school uniform from St. Vincent St. Mary’s in Akron, Ohio, while Bronny will be in his current USC Trojans uniform.

The Footsteps Dual Autograph is a one-of-one. The 100-player set also will include All-Americans Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers. Full story here.

• Now through Monday, Jan. 15, the NBA family will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The NBA will honor and celebrate MLK Jr. Day including four nationally televised games on TNT and NBA TV, in-arena, broadcast, social and digital content, community activities and employee engagement opportunities. All teams playing throughout the weekend will wear custom Nike Martin Luther King Jr. Day On-Court shooting shirts.

It’s Time MLK Jr. Day “The time is always right to do what is right.”

• AP Sports: Olympic gymnastics great Mary Lou Retton said she faces a long battle recuperating at home from a rare form of pneumonia in which doctors weren’t sure whether she would survive, in an interview that aired Monday on NBC’s “Today” show,

“This is serious and this is life,” Retton said. “And I am so grateful to be here. I am blessed to be here. Because there was a time when they were about to put me on life support.” Full story here.

Brock Purdy MVP In Pro Bowl Voting

• Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (2,008,645) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (2,171,812) lead the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively, in the first fan returns of NBA All-Star Voting presented by AT&T.

Fans account for 50% of the vote to determine the starters for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. Current NBA players and a media panel account for 25% each .

• The 2024 ten-game season for the United Football League — the spring football league that will result from the merger of the XFL and USFL — is scheduled to begin March 30, 2024. Also that weekend: NCAA Men’s and Women’s March Madness, NBA, NHL, MLB Opening Weekend, MLS, Nascar, NWSL, PGA, ATP, WTA.

• The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame unveiled the list of eligible candidates for the Class of 2024. Finalists from the Honor’s Committee for the Class of 2024 will be named Feb. 16 in Indianapolis during NBA All-Star Weekend.

The entire Class of 2024 will be unveiled during the NCAA Final Four in Phoenix April 6, in a nationally televised broadcast. the Enshrinement ceremony is Aug. 17, in Springfield’s historic Symphony Hall.

• The NHL’s Canada-based franchises are uniting in an initiative to support the ALS Super Fund, a broad-based campaign to find better treatments and support for Canadians living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This joint effort, inspired by the voices of ALS patients and led by former NHL player Mark Kirton, is part of a growing, patient-led movement dedicated to finally curing the disease.

• ESPN: Over 150 players at the 2023 Women's World Cup received targeted abuse on social media, with a FIFA report showing that the United States women's national team squad received more than twice the number of discriminatory or threatening posts of any other competing nation. Full story here.

• The first Negro Leagues' East-West All-Star Game was played on Sept. 10, 1933, in Chicago’s Comiskey Park, and last played in 1962 when the last Negro League was disbanded. The game returns May 25, 2024 when the National Baseball Hall of Fame hosts the Hall of Fame East-West Classic: A Tribute to the Negro Leagues All-Star Game, presented by Boeing, with a legends exhibition in Cooperstown, NY.

Pro Women's Hockey League Names Venues, Home Openers

• The 32 NFL player nominees for the ninth annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award have been finalized. Each team nominated one of its players for the award, which recognizes players “who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field.”

• Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, has launched through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism “Stand Up to Jewish Hate,” a $25 million multi-media campaign to “raise awareness nationwide about soaring incidents of antisemitism online and in person.”

The symbol of the campaign is a blue square that “represents the Jewish population in the United States – 2.4%,” Kraft said during a media video conference call. “But we’re the victims of 55% of the hate crimes in this country.”

The effort intends to “encourage Jews and non-Jews alike to speak out against hatred and stand with the Jewish community. “It is not just a threat to the Jewish community — accepted hate, in any form, is a vital threat to our society.”

• AP: Attempted book bans and restrictions at school and public libraries continue to surge, setting a record in 2023, according to a new report from the American Library Assn. Full story here.

Forbes NFL Most Valuable Teams 2023

1. Dallas Cowboys $9B
2. New England Patriots $7B
3. Los Angeles Rams $6.9B
4. New York Giants S $6.8B
5. Chicago Bears $6.3B
6. Las Vegas Raiders $6.2B
7. New York Jets $6.1B
8. Washington Commanders $6.05B
9. San Francisco 49ers $6B
10. Philadelphia Eagles $5.8B

11. Miami Dolphins $5.7B
12. Houston Texans $5.5B
13. Denver Bronos $5.1B
14. Seattle Seahawks $5B
15. Atlanta Falcons $4.7B
16. Minnesota Vikings $4.65B
17. Baltimore Ravens $4.63B
18. Pittsburgh Steelers $4.63B
19. Cleveland Browns $4.62B
20. Green Bay Packers $4.6B

21. Tennessee Titans $4.4B
22. Indianapolis Colts $4.36B
23. Kansas City Chiefs $4.3B
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers $4.2B
25. Los Angeles Chargers $4.15B
26. Carolina Panthers $4.1B
27. New Orleans Saints $4.08
28. Jacksonville Jaguars $4B
29. Arizona Cardinals $3.8B
30. Buffalo Bills $3.7B
31. Detroit Lions $3.6B
32. Cincinnati Bengals $3.5B
Source: Forbes

AVERAGE TEAM VALUES

1. NFL (32 teams): $5.11B
2. NBA (30 teams): $2.86B
3. MLB (30 teams): $2.32B
4. Soccer (top 30 teams): $2.17B
5. Formula 1 (10 teams): $1.88B
6. Indian Premier League (10 teams): $1.04
7. NHL (32 teams): $1.03B
8. MLS (28 teams) $579M
Source: Forbes

Forbes MLB Most Valuable Teams 2023

1. New York Yankees $7.1B (+18% from 2022)
2. Los Angeles Dodgers $4.8B (+18%)
3. Boston Red Sox $4.5B (+15%)
4. Chicago Cubs $4.1B (+8%
5. San Francisco Giants $3.7B (+6%)
6. New York Mets $2.9B (+9%)
7. Los Angeles Angels $2.7B (+23%)
8. Atlanta Braves $2.6B (+24%)
9. Philadelphia Phillies $2.575B (+12%)
10. St. Louis Cardinals $2.55B (+4)

11. Houston Astros $2.25B
12. Texas Rangers $2.225B
13. Seattle Mariners $2.2B
14. Toronto Blue Jays $2.1B
15. Chicago White Sox $2.05B
16. Washington Commanders $2B
17. San Diego Padres $1.75B
18. Baltimore Orioles $1.87B
19. Milwaukee Brewers $1.6B
20. Colorado Rockies $1.475B

21. Detroit Tigers $1.45B
22. Minnesota Twins $1.39B
23. Arizona Diamondbacks $.38B
24. Pittsburgh Pirates $1.32B
25. Cleveland Guardians $1.3
26. Tampa Bay Rays $1.25B
27. Kansas City Royals $1.2B
28. Cincinnati Reds $1.19B
29. Oakland A’s $1.18B
30. Miami Marlins $1B

Forbes World’s Most Valuable Soccer Clubs 2023

1. Real Madrid Spanish La Liga Spain $6.07B
2. Manchester United EPL England $6B
3. Barcelona Spanish La Liga Spain $5.51B
4. Liverpool EPL England $5.29B
5. Manchester City EPL England $4.99B
6. Bayern Munich Bundesliga Germany $4.86B
7. Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 France $4.21B
8. Chelsea EPL England $3.1B
9. Tottenham Hotspur EPL England $2.8B
10. Arsenal EPL England $2.26B

See the full list here: Forbes

Forbes NBA Most Valuable Franchises 2022

1. Golden State Warriors $7B
2. New York Knicks $6.1B
3. Los Angeles Lakers $5.9B
4. Chicago Bulls $4.1B
5. Boston Celtics $4 B
6. Loa Angeles Clippers $3.9B
7. Brooklyn Nets $3.5B
8. Dallas Mavericks $3.3B
9. Houston Rockets $3.2B
10. Philadelphia 76ers $3.15B
11. Toronto Raptors $3.1B
12. Miami Heat $3B

26. Indiana Pacers $1.8B
27. Charlotte Hornets $1.7B
28, Minnesota Timberwolves $1.67B
29. Memphis Grizzles $1/65B
30. New Orleans Pelicans $1.6B

See the full list here: Forbes

Most Valuable NHL Franchises 2022
1. Toronto Maple Leafs $2.12B
2. New York Rangers $2.01B
3. Montreal Canadians $1.7B
4. Chicago Blackhawks $1.44B
5. Boston Bruins $1.41B
6. Los Angeles Kings $1.39B
7. Philadelphia Flyers $1.35B
8. Edmonton Oilers $1.29B
9. Washington Capitals $1.22B
10. Detroit Red Wings $1.12B
32. Arizona Coyotes $465M

Source: Sportico

World’s Richest Sports Franchise Owners 2022
1. Steve Ballmer NBA Los Angeles Clippers $83B
2. Rob Walton NFL Denver Broncos $56.7B
3. David Tepper NFL Carolina Panthers $18.5B
4. Robert Pera NBA Memphis Grizzlies $17.6B
5. Steve Cohen MLB New York Mets $17.5B
6. Dan Gilbert NBA Cleveland Cavaliers $17.3B
7. Jerry Jones NFL Dallas Cowboys $16B
8. Stan Kroenke NFL Los Angeles Rams, NBA Denver Nuggets, NHL Colorado Avalanche $12.9B
9. Stephen Ross NFL Miami Dolphins $11.6B
10. Shahid Khan NFL Jacksonville Jaguars $11.2B

This year’s Forbes 400 includes 50 sports team owners with controlling stakes, up from 43 last year. Among them, 17 own NFL teams, 14 own NBA franchises, 12 own NHL clubs and 9 are MLB owners.

World’s Top-Ten Highest Paid Athletes 2023

1. Cristiano Ronaldo soccer: $136 million total earnings/$90 million off-field
2. Lionel Messi soccer: $130 million total/$65 million off-field
3. Kylian Mbappé soccer: $120 million total/$20 million off-field
4. LeBron James NBA: $119.5 million total/$75 million off-field
5. Canelo Álvarez boxing: $110 million total/$10 million off-field
6. Dustin Johnson golf: $107 million total/$5 million off-field
7. Phil Mickelson golf: $106 million total/$2 million off-field
8. Steph Curry NBA: $100.4 million total/$52 million off-field
9. Roger Federer tennis (retired):$95.1 million total/$95 million off-field
10. Kevin Durant NBA: $89.1 million total/$45 million off-field

Forbes' Top 11 Highest-Paid Soccer Players 2023

1. Cristiano Ronaldo ($260m)
2. Lionel Messi ($135m)
3. Neymar ($112m)
4. Kylian Mbappé ($110m)
5. Karim Benzema ($106m)
6. Erling Haaland ($58m)
7. Mohamed Salah ($53m)
8. Sadio Mané ($52m)
9. Kevin De Bruyne ($39m)
10. Harry Kane ($36m)
11. Robert Lewandowski ($34m)

2022 Highest-Paid Female Athletes
1. Naomi Osaka WTA ($51.1M) On-Field: $1.1M Off-Field: $50M
2. Serena Williams WTA ($41.3M) On-Field: $0.3M Off-Field: $41M
3. Eileen Gu Freestyle skiing ($20.1M) On-Field: $0.1M Off-Field: $20M
4. Emma Raducanu WTA ($18.7M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $18M
5. Iga Swiatek WTA ($14.9M) On-Field: $9.9M Off-Field: $5M
6. Venus Williams WTA ($12.1M) On-Field: $0.1M Off-Field: $12M
7. Coco Gauff WTA ($11.1M) On-Field: $3.1M Off-Field: $8M
8. Simone Biles Gymnastics ($10M) On-Field: $0 Off-Field: $10M
9. Jessica Pegula WTA ($7.6M) On-Field: $3.6M Off-Field: $4M
10. Minjee Lee Golf ($7.3M) On-Field: $4.8M Off-Field: $2.5M

11. Candice Parker WNBA ($7.2M) On-Field: $0.2M Off-Field: $7M
12. P.V. Sindhu Badminton ($7.1M) On-Field: $0.1M Off-Field: $7M
13. Leylah Fernandez WTA ($7M) On-Field: $1M Off-Field: $6M
14. Lydia Ko golf ($6.9M) On-Field: $4.4M Off-Field: $2.5M
15: Ons Jabeur WTA ($6.5M) On-Field: $5M Off-Field: $1.5M

16. Paula Badosa WTA ($6.2M) On-Field: $1.7M Off-Field: $4.5M
17. Lexi Thompson golf ($5.9M) On-Field: $1.9M Off-Field: $4M
18. Jin Young Ko golf ($5.8M) On-Field: $1.3M Off-Field: $4.5M
19. In Gee Chun golf ($5.7M) On-Field: $2.7M Off-Field: $3M
20. Alex Morgan soccer ($5.7M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $5M

21. Megan Rapinor soccer ($5.7M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $5M
22. Brooke Henderson golf ($5.4M) On-Field: $2.4M Off-Field: $3M
23. Nelly Korda golf ($5.4M) On-Field: $1.4M Off-Field: $4M
24, Caroline Garcia WTA ($5.2M) On-Field: $3.7M Off-Field: $1.5M
25. Garbiñe Muguruza WTA ($5.2M) On-Field: $0.7M Off-Field: $4.5M
Source: Forbes

Upcoming Super Bowls
• Super Bowl LVIII (2023 Season) Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas Feb. 11, 2024 CBS
• Super Bowl LVIX (2024 Season) Caesars Superdome New Orleans Feb. 9, 2025 Fox
• Super Bowl LX (2025 Season) Levi's Stadium Santa Calra, Calif. Feb. 9, 2026 NBC
• Super Bowl LXI (2026 Season) Site TBD February 2027 ABC
• Super Bowl LXII (2027 Season) Site TBD February 2028 CBS
• Super Bowl LXIII (2028 Season) Site TBD February 2029 FOX
• Super Bowl LXIV (2029 Season) Site TBD February 2030 NBC
• Super Bowl LXV (2030 Season) Site TBD February 2031 ABC
• Super Bowl LXVI (2031 Season) Site TBD February 2032 CBS
• Super Bowl LXVII (2032 Season) Site TBD February 2033 FOX
• Super Bowl LVIII (2033 Season) Site TBD February 2034 NBC

Looking ahead to the year 2023, it is interesting to contemplate what mascots could be seen in various sporting events or competitions. The concept of 2k23 mascots refers to potential mascots that could emerge during this period. While we cannot predict the specific mascots that will appear in 2023, we can speculate on the possibilities and consider what qualities and attributes they might possess.

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NFL Players Assn. unveils the Players’ All-Pro Team presented by OneTeam Partners. 'We asked players across the league to select who had the most impact this season. The players were tasked with voting for the best player at their same position and positions they line up against'

Yahoo Sports: Just like it did with the NFL and Quarterbacks, Netflix is turning to the NBA. The streaming service is creating a new documentary series featuring a number of NBA players, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The docuseries will highlight five players in the first season:LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Edwards and Domantas Sabonis.

Popeyes is supporting its first Super Bowl spot with a “Wings For Wings’ promo — designed to 'celebrate the permanent launch of Wings at Popeyes' — offering free 6pc Wings with any online or in app purchase at participating restaurants in the U.S and. Canada if a team that has wings in its name, logo, or on its mascot wins the big game in February: if Baltimore, Philadelphia or Buffalo wins, then guests get free wings. Redeemable Feb. 13, 2024.

After 23 years of Super Bowl appearances, PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay brand Doritos is using its platform to spotlight the brand's latest innovation: Dinamita. Doritos Dinamita will launch with spice-packed flavors and a new shape – and a commercial for Super Bowl LVIII.

Tennis star Nick Kyrgios will join ESPN for its on-air coverage of the Australian Open.

ESPN’s coverage ofFootball Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T averaged 25 million viewers. The title matchup peaked with 28 million viewers.

FanDuel Group said Rob Gronkowski would be in Las Vegas during Super Bowl LVIII for the sequel to last year's 'Kick of Destiny' (which he missed). 'Kick of Destiny 2' will see Gronkowski attempt to make a field goal just before kick-off to the Super Bowl — with help from John Cena and Carl Weathers — offering a share of a $10 million bonus bets prize pool.

CBS Sports said it delivered its most-watched regular season since the NFL returned to CBS in 1998, averaging 19.345M viewers and up +5% vs. last year.

ESPN said the 2023 Monday Night Football season was the show’s most watched since the 2000 NFL season. ESPN averaged 17.363M viewers a game (22 games including Doubleheader Saturday in Week 18), up 29% from 2022, also up 18% from the 2010 MNF season, ESPN’s previous most-watched season in the Monday Night Football era.

As it begins its 125th year, one of the world’s longest-tenured tennis tournaments is returning to its original name, the Cincinnati Open (Aug. 12-19). Rebranding the ATP Masters 1000 tournament from the Western & Southern Open comes shortly after its owner, Beemok Capital, said the event would remain at the Lindner Family Tennis Center for the next 25 years.

ESPN: Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Australian Open with an injury a week before the season's first major was due to start after playing just one tournament in his comeback from 12 months on the sideline.

Frito-Lay launches its 2024 NFL Playoff campaign, "Taste of Super Bowl,” anchored by a spot featuring Rob Gronkowski, Marshawn Lynch and Troy Polamalu, “Taste The Victory.”

RIP Franz Beckenbauer

32 players were selected by the NHL to play in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Scotiabank Arena, Toronto Feb. 3. Fans will select the final 12 players (eight skaters, four goalies) via the 2024 NHL All-Star Fan Vote presented by MassMutual thru Jan. 11.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame reveals its 15 modern-era finalists for the Class of '24, to be named Feb. 8 during the “NFL Honors presented by Invisalign” in Las Vegas (CBS, NFL Network).

Orphan Black: Echoes AMC 2024 Krysten Ritter: ‘A completely unique copy of the original’

“We meet aliens every day who have something to give us. They come in the form of people with different opinions.” — William Shatner

"There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free." — Jackie Robinson“We all wish we had superpowers. We all wish we could do more than we can do.” — Stan Lee

'Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity' — #MartinLutherKingJr

'We have come too far, we have sacrificed too much, to disdain the future now' — #JFK

“All of us might wish at times that we lived in a more tranquil world, but we don't. And if our times are difficult and perplexing, so are they challenging and filled with opportunity.” — Robert F. Kennedy d June 6, 1968

How to get the NBA Mascot in NBA 2K22

NBA 2K22 Season 7: Return of Heroes features new rewards, game modes, and challenges for players as the NBA season draws to a close. Players can unlock NBA Mascots by reaching certain levels in Season 7. The NBA Mascot can be unlocked by reaching level 30 in Season 7 on next-gen versions, or reaching level 40 in current-gen versions.

Once you reach the required level in MyCareer, you can claim the free NBA Mascot from the Season rewards list, and you will be given a free NBA Mascot at random. To equip the NBA Mascot suit, go to your MyPlayer menu, select Clothes, then scroll over to Mascots. Your new NBA Mascot suit can be found there.

It is unfortunate that you do not get a choice of your free NBA Mascot, and the other ones cost a whopping 100,000 VC after reaching the required level. After reaching level 40 (current-gen) or level 30 (next-gen), you can travel to Swag's to purchase an NBA Mascot of your choice.

Given the evolving nature of sports and the desire for mascots to be relatable and appealing to a wide audience, it is likely that 2k23 mascots would be charismatic, energetic, and visually striking. They may incorporate elements that are representative of the event or organization they symbolize, such as the logo, colors, or themes associated with the competition. The design of 2k23 mascots would likely prioritize creativity and uniqueness, distinguishing them from previous mascots and making them memorable. They may draw inspiration from various sources, combining elements from nature, mythology, or contemporary trends. In terms of their role, 2k23 mascots would continue to entertain and engage the audience, serving as ambassadors for their respective events or organizations. They would interact with spectators, participating in pre-game ceremonies, half-time shows, and fan activities. Mascots would continue to be an integral part of the overall fan experience, fostering a sense of unity and excitement among attendees. In conclusion, the concept of 2k23 mascots represents the potential for new and captivating characters to emerge in the world of sports. While it is impossible to predict the specific mascots that will be seen in 2023, it is expected that they will possess qualities that resonate with the audience and effectively represent the spirit of the event or organization they symbolize..

Reviews for "How Mascots Increase Fan Engagement in Virtual Sports"

- Emily - 2 stars

I was really disappointed with the mascots in 2k23. They seemed poorly designed and lacked creativity. I found them to be repetitive and uninteresting, with no standout character or unique features. I expected more from a game that prides itself on realism and attention to detail. Overall, the mascots felt like an afterthought rather than a well-thought-out addition to the game.

- Michael - 3 stars

The mascots in 2k23 were a far cry from what I was hoping for. They lacked personality and charm, making them forgettable and unappealing. I was expecting mascots that would bring some extra excitement and entertainment to the game, but they fell flat. It felt like they were just thrown in without much thought or effort. I hope that in future iterations of the game, the developers take more time to create mascots that truly enhance the overall experience.

- Sarah - 2 stars

I found the mascots in 2k23 to be underwhelming. They didn't add anything substantial to the game and felt like a gimmick. The designs were uninspired, and there was a lack of variation among the mascots. It would have been more exciting to see different mascots from different teams or even mascots with unique abilities that could impact gameplay. Overall, the mascots in this version of the game left much to be desired and didn't live up to the high standards set by the previous iterations.

- David - 3 stars

While the mascots in 2k23 were a nice addition, I felt they were executed poorly. The designs seemed outdated and didn't reflect the modern and sleek aesthetic of the game. Additionally, the mascots didn't have any impact on gameplay and felt like a superficial feature rather than an integral part of the overall experience. I hope that in future versions, the developers take a more innovative approach to incorporating mascots that truly enhance the immersion and excitement of the game.

Behind the Mascot: A Day in the Life of 2k23's Favorite Characters