DETROIT (WWJ) - Ex-Detroit Red Wings Zamboni driver Al Sobotka filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court which claims his position was terminated after a coworker caught him peeing into a drain at the Little Caesars Arena.
Sobotka's lawyers say, according to The Detroit Free Press, the Wings unlawfully discriminated against the long-time Zamboni driver's age (68) and medical condition when they fired Sobotka on Feb. 17.
Sobotka had worked for the Wings for 51 years, dating back to the teams’ days at the Olympia.
The 68-year-old suffers from benign prostatic hypertrophy, which causes uncontrollable and frequent urination, the lawsuit said.
Sobotka's lawyers outlined the events leading up to his termination in court papers, as reported by The Detroit Free Press.
After cleaning the ice at Little Caesars Area on Feb. 2, Sobotka allegedly drove a Zamboni into one of the garages and was overcome with the urge to urinate. The nearest restroom. according to the lawsuit, was 60 to 70 ft away and Sobotka allegedly made the decision to relieve himself into one of the arena's drains which was built to channel ice and water runoff from the Zambonis.
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Sobotka's lawyers said the area where the Zambonis are kept is restricted with no public access and only open to an ice crew of all-male employees.
The 68-year-old was urinating in the drain, standing in between two Zambonis, when a male coworker spotted him.
The lawsuit states Sobotka met with his supervisor and a human resources representative two days after the incident; he was suspended for seven days before being fired on Feb. 17.
Sobotka's legal team claim the ex-Zamboni driver's rights were violated under Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and are seeking compensatory damages.
Over the course of five decades, Sobotka was most known for bringing the Joe Louis Arena and Little Caesars Arena to life, particularly during the Wings’ glory days of Stanley Cup Playoff runs deep into the spring.
It’s been a tradition for years for Red Wings fans to hurl octopi onto the ice – especially come playoff time. Anytime an octopus hit the ice at the Joe, Sobotka was there to twirl it over his head and fire up the crowd.
The Detroit Red Wings have made no comment at this time on Sobotka's termination and subsequent lawsuit.
There is a status conference scheduled for July 20 at 8 a.m.
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