Hershey Bears to become to Hershey Kats

In a stunning April 1st announcement, inside sources say the Hershey Bears are going to announce a major change for their 75th anniversary season. The team will change their name from the Hershey Bears to the Hershey Kats in honor of the Hershey Kit-Kat Bar.

“We needed a change,” said one Hershey Bears inside source. “We were concerned that fans were getting tired of the Bears name. It was only a matter of time before the crowds would just stop coming. The start of the 75th year is good timing.”

And those crowds are already dropping off. Last night, the Bears only drew 10,080 for the game against St. John’s.

“We think this will be a great boost to the team and to sales of Kit-Kat Bars,” said the same source.

Hershey officials have also asked all fans to turn in their Bears jerseys and shirts or anything with the word “Bears” on it. Collection buckets will be set up at the final regular season game on April 8 and new memorabilia will be on sale starting after the end of the 5th round of the Calder Cup playoffs.

Beginning with the first pre-season game next year, security will be set up to prevent any fans wearing anything that says “Bears” from entering the arena.

A short ceremony will take place marking the final “Bears” regular season home game ever.

The announcement is expected to also include the names of the new mascots, which we are being told will be called “GIMME” and “BREAK.”

Bears officials say they will be making similar announcements every year…on April 1st.