Bobbleheads have been a popular giveaway for sports organizations for years. According to Joe Mahan, assistant professor at Temple's Sport Industry Research Center, teams like them because they are "a safe promotion." He adds that fans like them because they can be used not just as decorative items but also as a sign of allegiance to their team that can be displayed at the office less obtrusively than a pennant or a poster. But, said Mahan: "If you have a bad product, you can give away all the bobbleheads you want and no one will come."