Toronto Blue Jays Reboot BJ Birdy, Oversight Sparks Copyright Debate

0:00The Toronto Blue Jays just revived their original mascot, BJ Birdie, for the team's 50th season, but they didn't loop in the guy who created it. Kevin Shanahan, who designed and performed as the big-eyed Blue Jay for 20 years starting in 1979, says he still holds the copyright. Back in the day, Shanahan was a 20-year-old making animal costumes at Ontario Place when he dreamed of BJ Birdie. He pitched it to the Jays after landing on the Toronto Sun cover, debuted on September 11th, 1979, and stuck around through two. World series wins, and the skydome move before getting cut in 1999. Fans adore BJ's wild stunts like biking into walls, clowning on dugouts, and even getting tossed by umps. He broke rules by talking too. Shanahan offered to sell the rights when they parted ways, but the Jays passed, saying they didn't own it and preferred silent mascots. Now a retired teacher, he's touched by the nostalgia, but caught off guard. Lately, the Jays brought back BJ alongside other old school mascots,

1:06like Asin Diamond, for select games. Intellectual Property Experts Note copyright lasts the creator's life plus 70 years, so Shanahan's claim holds water. They admit overlooking it. Wasn't ideal. The team now wants to connect directly with Shanahan to honor BJ's legacy, and include him in the celebrations while he's mulling his next move amid. Fan love pouring in online. Canada news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters.