Sports
Benny The Bull Sued Over United Center Employee's 2015 Injury
A woman who worked as a courtside server says she was hurt during a game after the mascot injured his own ankle.

CHICAGO, IL — A courtside employee at the United Center is suing Benny the Bull over an injury she suffered in 2015 after the mascot was running on the court like … well, like a bull in china shop. Or in an NBA arena in this case. Rose Garcia filed the lawsuit Monday in Cook County Circuit Court, claiming her injuries were the result of negligence by Benny — or rather, Barry F. Anderson, the man who was wearing the costume at the time — the Chicago Bulls Limited Partnership and Chicago Professional Sports Limited Partnership, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. She's asking for more than $50,000 in damages, the report added.
The injury occurred during the May 8, 2015, Bulls game when Garcia was working as courtside order taker and server at the United Center, the report stated. According to the lawsuit, Benny had hurt his ankle while running on the court and was limping off when he pushed his hand on Garcia's shoulder to keep his balance and lift himself up.
SIGN UP: Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.
Find out what's happening in Chicagofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
That's when Garcia claims she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder and heard something pop, the report stated. She says the injuries she suffered as the result of Benny placing all of his body weight on her shoulder needed medical attention, the report added.
The Bulls have not commented about the litigation, the Sun-Times reports.
Find out what's happening in Chicagofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
More via the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull in 2006. (Photo by Jeff Roberson | Associated Press)
Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.