The XFL Bobblehead Giveaway

The XFL returned last month, and one of the first events was a bobblehead giveaway featuring the league’s founder, Dwayne Johnson. He threw the ceremonial first pitch at an XFL game in Seattle, and this bobblehead represents him slinging his arms up as he goes down on a rival.

The giveaway is a nod to both the XFL’s new ownership and its original vision as an alternative to traditional professional sports. “I think it’s a great way to show that the XFL is back,” says the league’s chief marketing officer, Chris Pika.

In addition to the bobblehead, the XFL’s inaugural game featured a special halftime performance by the Washington State Cougars marching band and the University of California a cappella group, Vocal Point. The show was a call to action to support the relaunched league, and it paid tribute to the XFL’s original home stadium in Seattle.

After the relaunched XFL began its 2020 season, it abruptly shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But a consortium led by actor Dwayne Johnson is working to revive it.

The Oakland A’s may not have many recognizable names on their roster, but this Star Wars-themed bobblehead of manager Mark Kotsay might help draw fans to the stadium for the team’s May 4th game against the Colorado Rockies. The A’s also plan to give out a bobblehead of a Stormtrooper as part of the event. The giveaway is just one piece of a puzzle that MLB’s teams and the companies that produce their promotional giveaways are trying to figure out as the pandemic continues.