“It started to take on a life of its own, so to speak,” team spokesman JT Szabo said. “Some of the feedback started to turn negative.”
The Gems had planned to leave a ticket for Bartman at the box office for their game at Hara Arena against the Fort Wayne Komets. Free admission was promised to fans dressing as the green-turtlenecked, headphone-adorned man who interfered with a foul pop during the Cubs’ loss to the Florida Marlins in Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field.
Szabo said a Bartman “representative” contacted the Gems after hearing of the promotion but no legal action was threatened.
“It was not our intention to cause any undue burden upon Mr. Bartman,” Gems president Joe Greene said.
The Gems still plan to grant free admission to anyone dressing up as Bartman on Oct. 14.
“We’ll honor our word, for sure,” Szabo said. “We’ll let them in free.”