The baseball season is winding down, and the shopping season – a sport
in its own right – is on the horizon.
The collectible sports bobblehead doll is seeing a resurgence in popularity,
and Bellevue, Washington-based Alexander Global, one of
the leading producers of the loose-headed dolls, is right in the thick of
it—producing collectibles for both retail and stadium events. The company’s
biggest recent seller has been the “Action Pose” bobbleheads, according
to Brand Manager Mike Lewis. New for 2003, the quirky player replicas come
complete with bases or outfield grass. The baseball line was released in
April of this year, with football and hockey releases scheduled for later
this year. Alexander Global is even planning to premiere NASCAR replicas.
Besides the Action Pose bobbleheads, Alexander Global is also working
on a Fall release of NFL team sets that will include Green Bay, Miami
and Buffalo, as well as the Raiders and 49ers. Each set, available in
the teams’ respective cities, will include 8 to 12 players.
Mike Piazza Babooshkah™
Texas Rangers Babooshkah™
“NFL collectors will probably have a really good time this fall,” said Lewis,
who mentioned fans should also keep an eye out for players in the popular
throwback uniforms.
Bensussen Deutsch & Associates (ToyDirectory),
another Washington-based company that develops sports collectibles specifically
for stadium giveaways, has been receiving national attention since the release
of its Babooshkah™ dolls in early 2003. The first
set, Texas Rangers Alex Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez
and Rafael Palmeiro, was a huge success. New York Met Mike
Piazza received a Babooshkah likeness in June, and Marketing Director
Steve Avanessian says the dolls will soon be invading stadiums across the
sports world. Commonly called matryoshka dolls, the nesting dolls
consist of several smaller dolls inside one larger doll. Certificates of
authenticity accompany the dolls, which will soon include a San Francisco
set with Barry Bonds. According to Avanessian, the Babooshkahä
dolls are “the next generation of bobbleheads.”
Upper Deck 2003 MVP Football
With football season on the horizon, sports collectible super company Upper
Deck (ToyDirectory)
has announced its new set of football trading cards. Collectors should look
for high-end autographs and game-used cards in Upper Deck’s 2003
MVP Football packs, which will retail for $1.99 per 8-card pack.
Other inserts include Talk of the Town, Silver
Parallel inserts, Memorabilia cards, MVP
souvenirs and more. The set consists of 440 cards and 110 MVP rookies.
McFarlane 12-inch NFL figures
Just released during summer of 2003, Mezco Toyz’ Extreme Athletes
(ToyDirectory)are
designed in the hip “urban vinyl” style and are made from tough roto-cast
PVC. Each 9-inch figure has a unique animated look with full articulation
and is durable enough to satisfy kids as well as collectors. Players wear
real cloth uniforms adorned with official team logos. The first assortment
features nine players from the NFL, including Warren Sapp, Mike Vick and
Brian Urlacher.
In response to fan demand, McFarlane
(ToyDirectory)
is launching a new line of 12-inch NFLfigures,
due to arrive in stores by October. The initial line will consist of NFL
figures and includes running back Emmitt Smith
(available in both his Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals uniforms);
Michael Vick, QB of the Atlanta Falcons; Brett
Favre, QB of the Green Bay Packers; Jerry Rice,
wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders and Ricky Williams,
running back for the Miami Dolphins. The new figures will be available
in Toys R Us as well as hobby and specialty stores. (estimated retail:
$30)
JAKKS Pacific (ToyDirectory)
is rolling out a new NASCAR® toy line featuring two
of the sport’s top racing teams, Hendrick Motorsports® and Joe Gibbs
Racing®. The new toys are slated to include radio control, infrared
and remote control vehicles, action figures, Tongue Tape™ candy, role-play,
slumber bags, backpacks, lunch kits and kites (whew!).
1:64 Infrared Control Car
1:18 Radio Control Car
1:10 Digital Proportion Radio Control Car
The Road Champs (ToyDirectory)
line, scheduled to arrive in stores in October, includes:
NASCAR Micro 1:64 Radio Control Car includes a helmet
charger modeled after the real drivers’ helmets.
NASCAR 1:43 Infrared Control Car has a flag-shaped controller
with sound effects, including engine rev-up, take-off and crowd cheering.
NASCAR 1:18 Radio Control Car also has sound effects
and performs the “victory spinout” that the real drivers do after winning
the race.
NASCAR 1:10 Digital Proportion Radio Control Car. This
1:10 scale car features a lightweight, flexible body, digital steering
and speed control, and is an Oppenheim award winner.
Nascar 12-inch JeffGordon
Nascar 12-inch BobbyLabonte
Road Champs is also debuting 6-inch and 12-inch action figures
modeled on NASCAR’s top drivers - Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, Bobby Labonte
and Tony Stewart. The 12-inch figures feature full articulation and a
removable helmet, gloves, racing outfit and shoes. The 6-inch figures
are also fully articulated and come with a removable helmet and winner’s
trophy.
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