Tweet
And now, LeBobblehead
By Tom Withers, The Associated Press
CLEVELAND — LeBron James has never been guarded like this. With armed security personnel and the Cavaliers' mascot, Moondog, watching over their safe arrival, 10,000 LeBron James souvenir bobblehead dolls were delivered in an armored truck to Gund Arena on Monday.
While the real James was in Chicago getting ready to play the Bulls, the limited-edition bobbleheads were stored away before being given to fans attending Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Like everything else bearing James' likeness, name or jersey number on it, the bobblehead has already caused a stir among collectors eager to get their hands on one of the 7-inch replicas of Cleveland's 6-foot-8 rookie star.
Two days before it's even available, the giveaway bobblehead is already drawing bids of nearly $30 on eBay.
"The bids on that are going to be crazy," said Brian Williamson, a bobblehead collector from Pittsburgh. "I don't think you'll be able to get one for under $50 because of how popular LeBron is."
Even James was eager to get his hands on one of the collectibles.
"I need one," he said shortly before tipoff Monday night in Chicago. "I don't have one yet. I might be bidding against myself to get one because I don't even have one.
"It's exciting. It's another part of my legacy that I'm trying to build up."
There are already several James bobbleheads available on the retail market. The Cavaliers' team shop at the Gund sells five different versions, but this one is unique because only 10,000 will be handed out.
"There is a whole sector of collectors who want just the giveaways," said Bill Miko of ImageWorks, a consulting firm who helped the Cavaliers plan the promotion. "Last year, people flew to Houston just to get the Yao Ming giveaway. I expect there to be people on the streets after the game trying to buy the bobbleheads from people as they come out of the Gund."
Upon entering the 20,000-seat arena, fans will be handed a voucher they can redeem at one of three designated areas to get their bobblehead. Team president Len Komoroski said the distribution points will be stationed by security guards as well as uniformed police officers to keep things orderly.
"We want to make sure nobody tries to run off with any of them," he said.
Late last season when the team announced it was returning to its original wine-and-gold color scheme, overzealous fans tore through boxes during a T-shirt giveaway. This time, the Cavs are taking necessary precautions to guard against a similar problem.
Because of the giveaway, Komoroski is expecting fans to arrive earlier than usual for the 7 p.m. tipoff. Doors will open at 5:30.
By Tom Withers, The Associated Press
CLEVELAND — LeBron James has never been guarded like this. With armed security personnel and the Cavaliers' mascot, Moondog, watching over their safe arrival, 10,000 LeBron James souvenir bobblehead dolls were delivered in an armored truck to Gund Arena on Monday.
While the real James was in Chicago getting ready to play the Bulls, the limited-edition bobbleheads were stored away before being given to fans attending Wednesday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Like everything else bearing James' likeness, name or jersey number on it, the bobblehead has already caused a stir among collectors eager to get their hands on one of the 7-inch replicas of Cleveland's 6-foot-8 rookie star.
Two days before it's even available, the giveaway bobblehead is already drawing bids of nearly $30 on eBay.
"The bids on that are going to be crazy," said Brian Williamson, a bobblehead collector from Pittsburgh. "I don't think you'll be able to get one for under $50 because of how popular LeBron is."
Even James was eager to get his hands on one of the collectibles.
"I need one," he said shortly before tipoff Monday night in Chicago. "I don't have one yet. I might be bidding against myself to get one because I don't even have one.
"It's exciting. It's another part of my legacy that I'm trying to build up."
There are already several James bobbleheads available on the retail market. The Cavaliers' team shop at the Gund sells five different versions, but this one is unique because only 10,000 will be handed out.
"There is a whole sector of collectors who want just the giveaways," said Bill Miko of ImageWorks, a consulting firm who helped the Cavaliers plan the promotion. "Last year, people flew to Houston just to get the Yao Ming giveaway. I expect there to be people on the streets after the game trying to buy the bobbleheads from people as they come out of the Gund."
Upon entering the 20,000-seat arena, fans will be handed a voucher they can redeem at one of three designated areas to get their bobblehead. Team president Len Komoroski said the distribution points will be stationed by security guards as well as uniformed police officers to keep things orderly.
"We want to make sure nobody tries to run off with any of them," he said.
Late last season when the team announced it was returning to its original wine-and-gold color scheme, overzealous fans tore through boxes during a T-shirt giveaway. This time, the Cavs are taking necessary precautions to guard against a similar problem.
Because of the giveaway, Komoroski is expecting fans to arrive earlier than usual for the 7 p.m. tipoff. Doors will open at 5:30.
Comment