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2mo ago

Phillies Rename 'Harry The K's' for Ghost Energy, Spurring Fight Over 'High Hopes' Rights

Team owners say corporate naming helps pay for renovations.

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An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Harry Kalas in a red jacket, yellow shirt, and yellow tie with blue polka dots, arms outstretched on a baseball field, Image 2 shows A look at the Statue of the late broadcaster Harry Kalas of the Philadelphia Phillies prior to a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park on August 17, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Overview

  • The Phillies unveiled the Ghost Energy Deck in the left-field area long known as Harry The K’s as part of $600 million upgrades announced before Thursday’s home opener.
  • Eileen Kalas told the Inquirer on Friday she felt the club betrayed Harry Kalas and said she will block the ballpark’s 'High Hopes' clip next season unless she is paid.
  • The team has paid her $20,000 a year for Harry Kalas’s likeness and will pay again for 2026 after missing a contract break, then plans to stop in 2027.
  • Managing partner John Middleton said Ghost’s payment could fund a player, downplayed savings from ending the $20,000 fee, and pointed to existing honors like the statue, booth name, and plaque.
  • Fans blasted the rebrand online while the new deck drew heavy traffic on opening day, and Todd and Kane Kalas said they were not opposed to the change.