Wheedle vs. Squatch

You can only have one: Wheedle or Squatch?

For anyone who isn’t a Sonics fan, the answer would probably be something like … “What are we talking about here?”

But, for anyone who grew up around the Green and Gold, well, they probably have an opinion.

To start, let’s take a look back at the history of the two Sonics mascots. The Wheedle – a character created through the book “Wheedle on the Needle” – was round and furry and typical of other mascots of its time. 

The Wheedle debuted in 1978 and was a part of the franchise through 1985, meaning the Wheedle is the only team mascot to be part of a championship season (1979).

After the Wheedle’s run came to an end, the team didn’t unveil a new mascot until 1993. 

Squatch, a high-flying homage to Sasquatch, was known for his above-the-rim entertainment and was the Sonics’ mascot until the day our franchise was stolen. Squatch’s persona fit the team’s style of play during the Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp era. Kemp would provide the highlight-reel dunks during the game and Squatch would show off some acrobatics during breaks in the action. 

For many, the choice between Wheedle or Squatch most likely comes down to the era they were watching the team. The Wheedle was long gone before many die-hard fans ever watched a Sonics game and Squatch has the edge on longevity. However, the Wheedle should get credit for being the original Sonics mascot. The Wheedle possesses a whimsical, categorically Seattle quality while Squatch is more broadly Pacific Northwest. 

What side do you land on?