The Pittsburgh Penguins have been targeted by a bobblehead heist.
The NHL team reports that a shipment carrying bobbleheads resembling the legendary alumni Jaromir Jagr has been stolen.
The bobbleheads arrived in California before Thursday night’s game against the San Jose Sharks, but did not make it to Pittsburgh.
The memorabilia were meant to be given to fans to celebrate 52-year-old Jagr, who played with the Penguins from 1990 to 2001.
The Penguins announced today that the shipment carrying the Jagr bobbleheads for tonight’s game has been stolen en route to Pittsburgh.
As a result, the bobbleheads will not be distributed at tonight’s game, but will be distributed at a later date.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 14, 2024
“All fans in attendance will receive a voucher with a barcode to claim the bobblehead at a later date,” the team stated on X.
Immediately, hockey fans jokingly accused the team’s seven-foot tall, mischievous mascot, Gritty.
We know who the culprit is. pic.twitter.com/uGIAUqKaf7
— Zeus McCormick (@jrez1982) March 14, 2024
Repeat offender ? pic.twitter.com/NrRedGd1AX
— RGF (@rgfray1) March 14, 2024
anyone seen gritty since those jagr bobbleheads disappeared
— Mike (@hactuary_) March 14, 2024
Gritty, of being the culprit and Gritty humorously took responsibility for the theft in response to the Penguins' post.
Gritty shared a GIF from Game of Thrones with X, telling the Penguins, “I want her to know it was me.”
https://t.co/6BCCOAmv3K pic.twitter.com/URnlHouZIu
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) March 14, 2024
Penguins’ president of business operations Kevin Acklin has stated that the club has contacted state and federal authorities to investigate the incident seriously.
“While this unfortunate incident adds to the legend of Jaromir Jagr, who will be at the game, we aim to resolve this theft and give the prized Jagr bobbleheads to our fans,” Acklin said in a statement.
#JagrWatch 🫡 pic.twitter.com/dyz64u0QyM
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 14, 2024
Bobbleheads are a sought-after collector’s item for many pro sports fans and their distribution often drives ticket sales and prices.
Additionally, a 2021 study in the Journal of Sport Management found that bobblehead and other merch giveaways can increase attendance in the long term and build fan loyalty.
Baseball bobbleheads became popular in the 1960s, when the MLB first distributed paper-mâché and ceramic bobbleheads.
On Ebay and other online auction sites, they can sell for anywhere from a few to thousands of dollars, depending on the player, team, and rarity of the figurine.
According to WorkandMoney.com, the most expensive bobblehead ever sold at auction was a 1961 New York Yankees generic player in mint condition — one of two in existence — that fetched nearly US$60,000.
