PHOTOS: New-look Phillies Phanatic makes his debut

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The Phanatics makeover has been revealed. 

The new-look Phanatic took in his first Phillies game of the season on Sunday in Clearwater, sporting new shoes, a longer tail amongst other minor changes:

First look at the "evolved" Phillie Phanatic. ----: @NBCSPhilly #Phillies pic.twitter.com/UjhS0pvISv

— Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) February 23, 2020

Joe Girardi meets the (slightly new) Phanatic.

A post shared by Todd Zolecki (@toddzoleckimlb) on Feb 23, 2020 at 9:43am PST

He has arrived pic.twitter.com/dB2xyS2UVU

— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) February 23, 2020

Why did the Phillies make the changes? Jim Salisbury of NBC Philadelphia explains:

The Phillies purchased rights to the Phanatic in 1984, but federal law allows artists to renegotiate rights to their work after 35 years. In 2018, Erickson and Harrison informed the Phillies that they would seek to wrest the rights to the Phanatic away from the team unless it paid them millions. Last year, the Phillies filed a lawsuit against Erickson and Harrison in New York federal court to keep their beloved mascot. The Phillies contend that the Phanatic's four-decade rise from a costume to a Philadelphia sports and cultural icon is the result of their own creative forces and investment and therefore makes the creature property of the team.

While the changes are noticeable if you really look close, any Phillies fans that might have been worried about the iconic mascot getting a brand-new look can breath a sigh of relief and continue to be excited about the start of the new season.