Funko shines the spotlight on some of the most iconic athletes from the NBA League for its latest additions to the ongoing GOLD collection. The latest release features varying sizes and celebrates some of the most notable players in the game throughout history.
Kicking off with Allen Iverson and his time as a Philadelphia 76er, the vinyl figure designs the player in his white Sixers uniform with a 1/4 chance of the Iverson figurine in his black uniform. He is also available in his 2005 All-Star uniform in dark blue. Additional stars include Larry Bird dressed up in his white Boston Celtics outfit or the red All-Star outfit. Others include Magic Johnson, Dennis Rodman, and Shaquille O'Neal.
Image Credit: Funko
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Athlete-honoring Collectibles
- The popularity of collectibles that celebrate iconic athletes provides an opportunity for brands to create tribute figurines for other sports legends and expand into other fandoms.
- Nostalgia-inspired Designs
- Using retro designs and colors to pay homage to iconic moments and athletes provides a disruptive innovation opportunity to tap into consumers' emotional connections to their favorite sports and players.
- Limited Edition Figurines
- The use of limited edition releases for high-profile athletes not only creates a sense of exclusivity but also drives sales and demand for fans seeking to add to their collections.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Sports Merchandise
- The sports merchandise industry can capitalize on the nostalgia and collectible trends by expanding their offerings to other sports and creating unique products that celebrate iconic athletes and moments.
- Toy Manufacturing
- The toy manufacturing industry can tap into the popularity of collectibles by adapting their existing toy lines to include athlete-honoring figurines with unique designs and limited edition releases.
- Licensed Merchandise
- Licensing companies can partner with sports leagues and brands to create officially licensed merchandise for collectors and fans featuring iconic athletes and moments, and maximize revenue through the use of limited edition releases.
