Phillies to Unveil New-Look Phanatic on Sunday Which Absolutely No One Asked for
By Brendan Balsamo
The Philadelphia Phillies mascot the Phillie Phanatic has become one of the most beloved mascots in all of sports over the past 15 years. However, the franchise is gearing up for some changes.
NBC Sports' Jim Salisbury reported on Friday that the Phillies will unveil their mascot's new look before their first Spring Training game on Sunday.
Phillies to unveil a new-look Phanatic on Sunday. Should be interesting. Story herehttps://t.co/0KDOVVJYhz
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) February 21, 2020
Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison sold the rights to the Phanatic to the Phillies in 1984, and their negotiation states that the owners are allowed to rework their rights to the mascot after 35 years.
In 2018, Erickson and Harrison told the Phillies that once the 35 years were up, they would attempt to get the rights to their creation back. The organization filed a lawsuit against them in 2019.
The #Phillies will unveil a new look to the Phillie Phanatic this weekend, with the hopes to end their recent legal trouble regarding the beloved mascot. https://t.co/mDYjJLrbs0
— PHILLIES TBOH (@FS_TBOH) February 21, 2020
Because the rights expire on June 15, the organization hopes changing the mascot's likeness will allow them to continue to use him. That's why so many changes are on the way.
The Phanatic will still be a major attraction for games and fire up fans like always. Just don't be surprised starting soon when he looks a bit different.