Mascot sues Triple-A Yankees

SCRANTON, Pa. -- A Pennsylvania man who worked as the mascot for the New York Yankees' Triple-A affiliate claims his former employer violated worker protection laws.

Brian Bonner was laid off last month from his job as "Champ." He's suing the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, claiming they improperly classified him as a manager to avoid paying him overtime.

The suit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Scranton. In it Bonner claims he could work more than 80 hours a week in a job that paid about $22,000 per year. The suit says his title was "marketing and community relations manager," but he performed no supervisory tasks besides his mascot and community relations duties.

Team spokesman Larry Freedman disputes the allegations. He says the club fully complies with overtime and minimum wage laws.