Official seeks $123K for injury from mascot

PHOENIX (AP) — A suburban Phoenix official filed a claim against Arizona State University, saying the school mascot seriously injured his back when the costumed character playfully leaped on him at a football game two months after surgery.

But Tempe City Councilman David Schapira says he is not interested in suing after the mascot’s prank set back his recovery and led to a four-day hospital stay and physical therapy.

Schapira is seeking more than $96,000 in damages and an additional $27,000 to reimburse the city for his medical bills, The Arizona Republic report.

The ASU Sun Devils’ mascot Sparky jumped on Schapira’s back while he was taking a photo on the sidelines during halftime of the game.

Schapira said he has no ill will toward whoever was playing the mascot that day. But he might have felt differently if it had been the mascot at rival school, University of Arizona.

“If it had been Wilbur Wildcat, U of A’s mascot, I’d have been livid,” Schapira said.