Phillies Sue To Block Phanatic From Becoming Free Agent
Could you imagine the Phillie Phanatic in a Yankees uniform?! Seems that’s a possibility, as the Phillies are currently fighting to keep their beloved mascot as their own. The club is suing the New York company (big surprise) that created the Phanatic mascot, to prevent the green furry fan favorite from becoming a free agent.
On Friday, the team filed a federal complaint accusing Harrison/Erickson Inc. and it’s principals of going back on an agreement to let the Phillies use the mascot “forever” that was made in 1984. The defendants are threatening to end the Phillies use of the mascot in June of 2020. This would make the Phanatic a free agent unless the team renegotiated a contract, which could result in a million dollar agreement. According to a court filing, the Phillies say the original payout to the creators was $215,000.
The complaint says that Harrison/Erickson “does not have the right to deprive the Phillies’ fans of the Phanatic” or eliminate the team’s “huge, 41-year investment” in him. The lawsuit aims to protect the image of Phanatic, blocking Harrison/Erickson and others from using the Phanatic image or selling Phanatic-related items, citing the 1984 agreement between the team and the creators.
Other NL East fanbases are taking note, and planning to troll us over the lawsuit. However, the joke is on them because even if the Phillies lose this case, they’re almost certain to pay an extra couple million dollars to retain the mascot, even if it’d require selling a couple of his ATVs on Craigslist. So take a hot dog canon and stuff this lawsuit in it, New York, because the Phanatic ain’t going anywhere!
