Sports

'I stand with Phanatic:' Gritty defends Phillies mascot's new look

Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Gritty is a fan of the new-look Phanatic and wants everyone to know.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Gritty is defending his fellow mascot from fans who don't like the Phillie Phanatic's new look.

The Flyers mascot posted a photo on Twitter of him holding signs that read: "I stand with the Phillie Phantic. If you don't, come see me."
[Ads /]


The Phillies unveiled the redesign before Sunday's exhibition game in Florida.



The new look features flightless feathers rather than fur-colored arms, stars outlining the eyes, a larger posterior and a powder blue tail, blue socks with red shoes, plus a set of scales under the arms.



In his photo, Gritty is also wearing matching blue feathers and stars above his eyes.

The Phillies sued Harrison/Erickson, the New York company that created the Phanatic, last August in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. The team alleged Harrison/Erickson threatened to terminate the Phillies' rights to the Phanatic as of June 15 and "make the Phanatic a free agent" unless the team renegotiated its 1984 agreement to acquire the mascot's rights.
[Ads /]
GALLERY: Phanatic Through the Years
The new-look Phillie Phanatic makes his debut.none
The Philadelphia Phillies' mascot, the Phillie Phanatic,in action before a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019.AP
Bryce Harper stands with the Phanatic before being introduced as a Phillies player during a news conference at the team's spring training facility, Saturday, March 2, 2019.AP
Gritty and the Phillie Phanatic dance during a baseball game between the Phillies and the Atlanta Braves, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Philadelphia.AP
The “Phillie Phanatic” jumps on the back of Atlanta Braves catcher Biff Pocoroba during a pre-game warmup before double header at night on Tuesday, July 12, 1983 in Philadelphia.none
The Phillie Phanatic, mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies, poses at its perch atop Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium April 8, 1991.none
The Phillie Phanatic holds a doll dressed in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform during Game 4 of the 1993 Word Series.none
Harry Kalas, longtime broadcaster of the Philadelphia Phillies, is greeted by the Phillie Phanatic Wednesday, June 19, 2002.none
Hall of Famer Harry Kalas and the Phillie Phanatic wave to the crowd after removing the last of the "Vet Countdown" signs on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003.none
Philadelphia Phillies' Jim Thome responds to cheers after hitting his 400th career homer on Monday, June 14, 2004, in Philadelphia.none
The Philadelphia Phillies mascot the Phillie Phanatic is seen during a jubilant victory parade in downtown Philadelphia Friday, Oct. 31, 2008.none
The Phillie Phanatic eyes up the location of the 2008 World Series Trophy Friday afternoon, Jan. 23, 2009, at Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pa.none
The Phillie Phanatic dumps popcorn on a fan during Game 1 of the NLDS between the Phillies and the Reds, Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010.none
The Phillie Phanatic stands during the opening day ceremonies before a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, April 1, 2011, in Philadelphia.none
The Philadelphia Phanatic watches a ball game from on-top of the Phillies dugout during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, in Philadelphia.none
The Philadelphia Phillies mascot, the Phillie Phanatic watches during an exhibition baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Friday, March 29, 2013, in Philadelphia.none
The Phillie Phanatic stands during the playing of the national anthem before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, in Philadelphia.none
The Phillie Phanatic, center, dances with Zooperstars (left to right), Ichiroach Suzuki, Whale Gretzky, Harry Canary and Monkey Mantle on May 18, 2014, in Philadelphia.none
The Phillie Phanatic shoots hot dogs into the stands during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Thursday, April 9, 2015, in Philadelphia.none
The Phillie Phanatic admires a huge birthday card signed by thousands of his fans during pre-game ceremonies in Philadelphia, April 30, 1979.AP


In a statement released Tuesday, the creators of the Phanatic called the redesign, "an affront to our intellectual property rights and to Phillies fans everywhere."

The lawsuit is currently in its discovery phase.

Here's the full statement from Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison:



The creators of the original Phillie Phanatic, Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison (who are represented by law firm Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP), expressed their dismay at the appearance Sunday of the so-called "new" Phillie Phanatic at the Phillies spring training game:
[Ads /]
"The Phillies lack of good faith in negotiating for an extension of the copyright assignment for the Phillie Phanatic is disappointing," said Wayde Harrison. "But the unveiling of the so-called 'new' Phanatic on Sunday is an affront to our intellectual property rights and to Phillies fans everywhere."

"For more than 40 years, we have worked closely with the Phillies, making all the Phanatic costumes, providing artwork and ideas until June of 2018," added Bonnie Erickson. "The Phanatic has performed successfully for the Phillies and the city of Philadelphia for decades. The 'business decision' by the Phillies to roll out this 'new' Phanatic is a transparent attempt to deny us our rights under of the Copyright Act. We would love to have the real Phanatic continue with the Phillies."

-----

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Report a correction or typo
Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.