Phillies Could Be in Danger of Losing the Phillie Phanatic as a Mascot
By Michael Luciano
The Phillie Phanatic is arguably the most recognizable mascot in all of sports, having delight Phillies fans for the better part of 40 years.
However, Phillies management and design firm Harrison/Erickson are now locked in a legal battle over the rights of the big green monster.
The Phillie Phanatic's creators are attempting to win free agency for the most famous mascot in sports: https://t.co/JqleiAdWrM pic.twitter.com/aY56IEuqKq
— NY Daily News Sports (@NYDNSports) August 2, 2019
The Phillies are suing H/E, who also created several Muppets as well as mascots for the Expos, Wizards and Jaguars, over the trademark of the character. H/E responded with a notice of termination related to the Phanatic's copyright.
The Phillies, however, claim that H/E terminated the rights deal in 1979 and sold the rights to the Phanatic to the Phillies for $215,000 in perpetuity.
H/E is said to be seeking an injunction against the Phillies that "makes the Phanatic a free agent" and not property of one team in particular.
In other words, the Phanatic could be to mascots what Curt Flood was to baseball players everywhere.
The Harrison/Erickson design firm - co-founded by the designer of the original Miss Piggy - wants to reclaim the copyright in the “Phillie Phanatic” character. Not surprisingly, the Phillies have sued, claiming they were co-creators of the mascot. https://t.co/tL4Rdehkk2
— Ryan W. Mead (@rwmead) August 2, 2019
Forget Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, we haven't seen anything like the Phanatic's free agency. Sources say the Yankees have already put in a multi-year offer.