Since being unveiled, Gritty has appeared on "Good Morning America" and the Washington Postgetty images
The Flyers' introduction of their new mascot Gritty on Monday has "proved to be a publicity bonanza" for the team, according to Charlie O'Connor of THE ATHLETIC. Flyers VP/Marketing Joe Heller said the team "expected there to be some kind of buzz" about Gritty, but they "expected it a little bit more on a local level." Heller said, "I don't think any of us expected Good Morning America to be here this morning, I don't think we thought there'd be links on People magazine or Time magazine or anything like that." O'Connor noted stories about Gritty "showed up where you'd expect news of a new sports team mascot to appear," but they also "popped up" on newsier places like the Washington Post and Business Insider. Whether or not it is true that "all publicity is good publicity," it is "difficult to argue that Gritty has not been a major success so far." Heller said that Gritty had "been in the works for two years, at least in concept." The Flyers' marketing department "started discussing the idea seriously" in '16. Heller acknowledged that the "successful theatrical and 'fun' elements" used by the Golden Knights in their first season at least "played a part" in expediting the process of unveiling Gritty. O'Connor noted early ideas for the mascot included a bull -- a reference to the Flyers' "Broad Street Bullies nickname -- or multiple variations on the idea of a 'Flyer,' such as a bat, flying squirrel or old baron pilot." However, graphic designer Brian Allen said that the team "quickly settled on a monster concept" which was "sort of inspired by the Phillie Phanatic." After Gritty's unveiling, references to the Phanatic and Muppets creator Jim Henson "hint what the Flyers are truly trying to achieve in the long term with Gritty" is a "friendly, comedic way for children to engage with the team's brand" (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/27).
TRUST THE PROCESS? In Philadelphia, Enrico Campitelli noted Allen first got involved with the Flyers' mascot process in July and "went through a couple phases" with the team. There were "two weeks of sketching different ideas exploring the roughly 25 different concept sketches" for the mascot. Once the team pointed Allen in the "final monster direction," there were another two weeks of "fine-tuning with multiple sketches from different angles." From there, Gritty's "creation was in the hands of the costume company." The company then added some "exciting additions to the costume" that Allen had not planned, including the "googly eyes." Allen said, "I wanted them to be buggy eyes for sure. But I never told them they should move around like that" (NBCSPORTSPHILADELPHIA.com, 9/25).
MUST-SEE TV: Gritty appeared before a national audience on Thursday when it showed up in the opening sequence to “The Tonight Show.” NBC's Jimmy Fallon and guest Ricky Gervais were seen having a private dance party in the dressing room before Gritty unexpectedly walking into the room and deciding to join in. Gervais objects to Gritty's attempt to butt in and then tries to fight Gritty, forcing Fallon to break up the scuffle (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 9/27). ESPN's Mike Greenberg referenced the appearance and noted Gritty has been "getting a lot of attention because most people just find it ridiculous." Greenberg: "Gritty is getting a whole bunch of attention, and it's not pretty" ("Get Up," ESPN, 9/28).
GRITTY REBOOT: A BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES editorial stated the Flyers franchise "never had a mascot" during its first 51 season and questioned if Gritty was the "best it could come up with." The editorial: "We give the team a game misconduct penalty" (BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES, 9/27). The GUARDIAN's Matthew Cantor wrote Gritty is the "last thing we need." Cantor: "I would encourage the Flyers to reconsider Gritty and select a new mascot representative of the better angels of Philadelphia's nature" (THEGUARDIAN.com, 9/27). But ESPN's Domonique Foxworth said of the mascot, "We should commend the Flyers because it's been a bit of masterful marketing. It's become quite an internet meme and I think that it was purposeful. It's not a mistake that they made him look ridiculous and crazy" ("Highly Questionable," ESPN, 9/26).
