Cavaliers Postpone Bobblehead Giveaway Due to Coronavirus Delays

By Joseph Myers

The Cleveland Cavaliers hoped to honor Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, two members of their 2016 NBA championship-winning club, through a combination bobblehead giveaway on March 30. That promotion will have to wait, though, as the team announced it was postponing the giveaway due to manufacturing and shipping delays related to coronavirus.

NEWS: The Combo Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson Bobblehead giveaway slated for 3/30 will not occur due to a manufacturing delay in China due to COVID-19.

NOTE: fans who bought #CavsSuns tickets will receive their bobblehead at a later date.

DETAILS: https://t.co/O7e8wEKBQR pic.twitter.com/3BnXKDUrOY

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 9, 2020

The supply chain disruption marks yet another promotional products industry connection to the outbreak, with the Cavaliers promising that fans will receive the commemorative item at a later date. Given that the regular-season schedule is winding down and that the team will not be qualifying for the postseason, the execution of the promotion will likely have to wait until the fall, when the Cavaliers look to return to prominence.

Regarding the look of the bobblehead, we find the means to thank the retired players a decent move on the organization’s part, especially since it shows respect for their contributions to the campaign that ended with a seven-game NBA Finals victory over the Golden State Warriors. Owing to production delays, though, the item, no matter its positive qualities and display of reverence, now becomes a bit of an afterthought.

Last month, we explored the layered consequences of coronavirus on the stability of the promotional products industry, with the delayed distribution of the bobblehead being direct proof that commerce is feeling its impacts. The health concerns are far more important to address, obviously, but one cannot help but wonder how much of a dent the coronavirus will make in the global economy.

While many people see the virus as bound to cause much more dismay and others see it as a blown-out-of-proportion inconvenience, it definitely has become a ubiquitous topic among promo industry figures. As we wait to see what the further effects will be, businesses are finding themselves reminded that they cannot control how smoothly their goods reach consumers. The Cavaliers are the latest to deal with this knowledge, but it could be that they will have company, particularly in the sports world, as the situation continues to develop.