The Chicago Cubs decided earlier this year to invent their very first mascot. Already, it’s kind of been a disaster, at least in Wrigleyville.
According to the AP, the Cubs have filed a lawsuit against a group of people who have been parading about town in their ‘Billy Cub’ bear costume, causing a bit of ruckus.
The Chicago Cubs have filed a lawsuit against several people whom the team accuses of being behind a fake mascot that has been engaging in bad behavior near Wrigley Field, including getting into a bar fight that was captured on video and posted online.
The team filed its lawsuit on Friday in federal court in Chicago against John Paul Weier, Patrick Weier and three other unnamed individuals whom the team says dress in the bear costume, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
The fake mascot — not to be confused with the team’s new official mascot, “Clark the Cub” — wears a Cubs hat and No. 78 jersey that has the name “Billy Cub” on the back. The team says the defendants are trying to pass their character off as an official representative of the team, and it accuses them of trademark infringement, injuring the team’s reputation and unfair competition.
The team accuses those behind the fake mascot of demanding tips for photos, making “rude, profane and derogatory remarks and gesticulations,” and punching a man at a bar near the ballpark. The punch, which was caught on video, was posted on YouTube and was widely viewed. The Cubs say fans were confused and thought the official team mascot had thrown the punch instead.
So in a nut shell, don’t dress in a mis-led costume that makes people believe you represent the team and especially don’t beat up other people while doing so. The funny thing is, it appears that the Cubs have been dealing with this for quite some time and that this lawsuit is a last ditch effort to rid themselves of this John Paul Weier guy.
This video is from last year and is simply titled, “The Worst Mascot In Sports?” You’ll see pictures that distinctly show the difference between the fake “Billy Cub” and the real “Clark the Cub.”
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo Credit: Getty
