May Interview: David Raymond Interview conducted: April 2000 In 1978 one Philadelphia Phillies intern was trying to show the team management that he was willing to do anything for the team.  The Phillies were just looking for a 'stooge' to fill their new mascot costume.  What they found was a sports entertainment legend. Nearly 25 years later, David Raymond is still entertaining fans around the world and giving back to the business that didn't even exist when he started. Now as Acme Mascot's Director or Fun and Games, David performs as the character Sport, creates new characters for teams and companies, teaches performers and strives to do things that others are not. We are very pleased to have David join us for the May Interview.
		Inflatable Bowling Pins Build-a-Burger Custom Rally Towels Join our Mailing List

gameops.com: How did it happen that you started as the Phillie Phanatic?

David Raymond:   I worked for the Phillies for 2 summers as an intern in 1976 and 1977.  When the spring came around in 1978 I wasn't sure I was going to be back.  One day while at school, I got a message to call the Phillies right away.  I thought it was probably a call telling me that I wouldn't be back for the summer.  Rather they needed me to come dress up in their new mascot costume.

They were looking for a stooge to fill this costume.

gameops.com: And you were that Stooge?

Raymond:   At the time I remember thinking it would be important to show the team management I would do anything for the team.  I really wanted to work for the Phillies.  My friends all thought I was crazy, most of them fearing for my safety knowing some of the fans in Philly.

My parents were really important in convincing me this would be a good opportunity.  They both saw the potential of the character and thought there was a chance it could be really big.

Within 9 months the character had become a full-time position for me and my sole responsibility for the team.  I was getting paid $25 a game, but I really enjoyed being a part of the game and the Phillies.

Fun Fact David's Father is University of Delaware Football Coach  "Tubby" Raymond

gameops.com: We could talk a long time about your time as the Phanatic, but let's fast forward to your final years and talk about why you left the Phillies.

Raymond:   As the years passed on, I wondered what's next for me.  I thought that I would like to have some type of ownership of the Phantic, but I couldn't justify asking for it.  I mean there was no precedence for something like that.  I really thought that I wanted to have a proprietary interest in a character moving forward.

In the early 1990's I also saw that a market for entertainment acts was starting to grow in the minors.  Acts were starting to find significant opportunities during the summer.  I enjoyed performing for these teams and decided that I wanted to pursue a character separately from the Phillies.

gameops.com: Was it hard to leave the Phillies and the Phanatic?

Raymond:   It was difficult.  The biggest part was leaving the friendships I had there.  Also you leave behind the equity you have spent time building.  You also leave behind "being somebody" in Philly.  For example, it's a lot easier for "the Phanatic" to get tickets to a Flyers game than it is for David Raymond (laughs).

So after the 1993 World Series we created Sport and Acme Mascots.

Overall it was worth the sacrifice.  I now had the chance to perform in front of all new fans.

gameops.com: Talk about Acme Mascots.  Who are you working with and what does Acme Mascots do?

Raymond:  Acme Mascots includes the costumers, Wade Harrison and Bonnie Erickson.  They are famous for their world-class costume designs which include the Phanatic, Hugo the Hornet, Stuff (Orlando-NBA), KC Wolf (KC-NFL) and of course, Sport.

Acme Mascots builds character branding programs.  We are able to build a character from scratch, reinvigorate old characters, find performers for characters, and assist in merchandise development.  We are mascot development, soup to nuts.

No one else can offer the full complement of services that we do.

gameops.com: On the performance side, how much is Sport performing these days and what do you see in the future?

Raymond:   Right now Sport is doing about 100 shows per year, and we are still building on that.  In the future we are talking about adding characters to the Sport 'family' and potentially a television show.

gameops.com: What are the biggest changes that you have seen in this business (entertainment) over the last 25 years?

Raymond:   I think the biggest change in the business is that now there actually is a business.  When this all started there was pretty much just the Chicken.  Now teams and businesses have found the value in this and they have needs.  Those needs have become the business for Acme Mascots.

The other change is the attitude of teams.  Teams now realize that you cant fill a stadium with purists so they are finding affordable entertainment to enhance the overall entertainment.  

I think minor league teams now are trying to find ways that a family of 4 to spend $30-40 and say "I had a great time and we will come back".

gameops.com: What kinds of promotions do you enjoy the most?

Raymond:   I really get a kick out of the funny promotions like the Human Slingshot in hockey or the live Sausage Races they have in Milwaukee.  I don't like to see markets that think you don't need to give your fans anything more than just baseball.  

I really want baseball to flourish and to do that I believe that it needs to continue to focus on entertaining fans.

In Part 2 of our Interview with David Raymond, David talks about his Mascot Master Class and how Acme Mascots is using the internet to connect with teams and fans.

Read Part 2 of our Interview with David Raymond

---

Thanks to David Raymond for his time this month.  I have been fortunate to know David for the last 10 years and he is truly one of the good guys in this business.