Ohio State’s Championship Run Sparks Bobblehead Boom in 2025, Leaves Cleveland Teams Off the Map
Ohio State football didn’t just win a national title in 2025-they dominated the cultural conversation across Ohio. And if you needed proof beyond the highlight reels and trophy celebrations, look no further than the top 10 best-selling Ohio bobbleheads of the year. The Buckeyes didn’t just show up on the list-they owned it, claiming five of the top 10 spots, according to the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.
That kind of demand didn’t leave much room for anyone else. For the first time in recent memory, no Cleveland sports teams or athletes cracked the top 10.
Not the Guardians. Not the Browns.
Not even the resurgent Cavaliers. The Buckeyes’ championship run soaked up all the oxygen-and the shelf space.
“It’s a little different from our normal lists,” said Phil Sklar, co-founder of the Milwaukee-based Hall of Fame. “But there were a lot of Ohio State sales from their national championship, and they dominated.”
A Title Run That Translated to the Toy Shelf
Ohio State’s title-winning season wasn’t just a feel-good story-it was a full-on cultural moment in the state. And the bobblehead sales reflected that.
From star players to iconic moments, fans couldn’t get enough. One defensive end's 83-yard fumble return touchdown in the semifinal against Texas became an instant classic-and his bobblehead flew off shelves.
He’s now suiting up for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but in Columbus, he’ll always be remembered for that game-changing play.
Then there’s the standout wide receiver, who’s been nothing short of electric in scarlet and gray. With 156 catches, 2,401 yards, and 26 touchdowns under his belt, he’s already etched his name into Buckeye lore. And with one more season to go, his bobblehead is already a collector’s item.
It wasn’t just individual players either. The Hall released a bobblehead commemorating the Buckeyes’ 27-9 win over Michigan just days before the rivalry game in late November-perfect timing for fans eager to celebrate a statement win.
The Power of Viral Moments: Pudge the Cat and Beyond
Of course, not all top sellers were football-related. One of the most surprising entries on the list?
A 3-year-old exotic Persian shorthair named Pudge. That’s right-a cat.
With a scrunched-up face and a social media following that exploded, Pudge became Bowling Green’s unofficial mascot and a viral sensation. Officially, he belongs to long snapper George Carlson, but unofficially, he belongs to the internet-and now, to bobblehead collectors across the state.
It’s a reminder that in today’s world, it’s not just athletes and trophies that move merchandise. Sometimes, it’s the weird, the wonderful, and the wildly unexpected.
“Moments do really well for us,” Sklar said. “Whether it’s sports-specific or cultural, those quirky viral stories tend to take off.”
Case in point: Stumpy the Tree, a gnarled cherry tree from Washington, D.C., that was removed in 2024 and somehow became a beloved local symbol. Or the boat that got stuck along the Lake Michigan shoreline and stayed there for seven months, abandoned but oddly adored. Yes, both got their own bobbleheads-and yes, they sold.
National Figures, Local Ties
Not all top sellers were strictly Ohio-centric, but local ties helped. The Trump-Vance bobblehead, released after their 2024 election win, sold well in the Buckeye State thanks in part to Vance’s Ohio roots.
And then there’s Pope Leo-the first American pope, hailing from the Midwest and taking the world by surprise in 2025. His bobblehead became a runaway hit nationally, and even held the top spot for most of the year until a pair of Curt Cignetti bobbleheads-honoring the Indiana football coach with Ohio roots-took off late in the year.
Looking Ahead: More Bobbleheads, More Moments
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame isn’t slowing down. With National Bobblehead Day coming up on January 7, the team is preparing to release more bobbleheads than ever before.
One major theme for 2026? America’s 250th birthday.
And with Ohio’s deep presidential history, expect the Buckeye State to be well-represented once again.
But as Sklar pointed out, the real wildcards are the viral moments no one can predict.
“Every day there’s an opportunity for new bobbleheads,” he said. “People, characters, animals-anything can go viral.”
2025’s Top-Selling Bobbleheads in Ohio (In No Particular Order):
- Ohio State Defensive End: His unforgettable 83-yard fumble return touchdown in the semifinal was a defining moment of the Buckeyes’ title run.
- Ohio State Wide Receiver: With a stat line that already reads like a career résumé-and one more season to go-his bobblehead was a must-have.
- Pudge the Cat: Bowling Green’s viral feline sensation proved that sometimes, all it takes is a scrunched-up face and a social media following.
- Ohio State vs. Michigan Rivalry Bobblehead: Released just before the annual showdown, this commemorative piece marked another Buckeye win in the storied rivalry.
- Savannah Bananas at Great American Ball Park: The zany, barnstorming baseball team drew crowds in Cincinnati-and bobblehead buyers across the state.
- Trump-Vance 2024 Campaign Bobblehead: With Ohio native J.D. Vance on the ticket, this one had strong regional appeal.
- Bob Knight: The legendary coach, born in Massillon and raised in Orrville, got his due with a bobblehead nod to his Ohio roots.
- Miami (OH) vs. Cincinnati Rivalry Bobblehead: The Battle for the Victory Bell may not be Ohio State-Michigan, but it’s one of the oldest rivalries in college football-and it earned a spot on the list.
As 2026 approaches, one thing’s clear: whether it’s a national title, a viral cat, or a historic rivalry, Ohio fans know how to celebrate their sports stories-one nodding head at a time.