Breaking Down the 2017 Arena Giveaways

The schedule that we have all been waiting for is finally upon us. The 2017 arena giveaways are heavy on the nostalgia and surprisingly lacking in the bobblehead department. Let’s take a look at what fans can expect to receive as the Bucks celebrate their 50th season as an NBA franchise.

Friday, October 20th vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

The home opener starts things off with a bang as this “Retro Shooting Shirt” will be available to the first 10,000 fans that walk through the Bradley Center turnstiles. This is definitely in the upper-echelon of arena giveaways and I’m glad they are not being stingy with it. A 10,000 shirt giveaway will blanket half the crowd in these snazzy shooting shirts. Here’s to hoping they help my pick-up game.

Saturday, October 21st vs. Portland Trail Blazers

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

Ah the “Magnet Schedule,” it’s a giveaway classic and it makes an appearance for the second home game of the year. Every fan that enters the game will walk home with one of these to adorn their fridge with. The combination of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Giannis Antetokounmpo makes this a better than average magnet calendar and one that probably has the longest combined names to appear on a calendar probably ever.

Wednesday, November 15th vs. Detroit Pistons

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

Another 10,000 fan giveaway item as an appropriately sponsored Pick ‘n Save “Tote Bag” will be handed out for a weeknight clash against a division rival. The 50th season logo makes its most prominent appearance on this giveaway. No details on how deep this bag is and I can’t wait to use this at Pick ‘n Save’s competitor, Woodman’s.

Friday, December 8th vs. Dallas Mavericks

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

This “50th Anniversary Cap” will be available to the first 5,000 adults (suck it kids!) that make their way inside the Fortress on Fourth Street. This marks the first appearance of “Classic Bango” on the giveaway schedule. The baseball cap comes just in time for me to store it in my closet as I wait for winter to pass.

Friday, December 22nd vs. Charlotte Hornets

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

This is the giveaway I am looking forward to the most. The “B Sweater Koozie” is available to the first 5,000 adults (and non-adults with fake IDs). I love koozies and this sweater style one will get along great will my non-clothing koozies. The kids with fake IDs will be the envy at every garage and basement party.

Friday, January 5th vs. Toronto Raptors

The “Giannis Starting Lineup Action Figure” will be handed out to the first 5,000 fans of all ages. All 5,000 fans will defensively call it an action figure when their mom and/or spouses call it a doll. The website did not provide a picture but here is an approximation:

https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/poseidon.jpg

Friday, January 26th vs. Brooklyn Nets

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

The first 5,000 kids aged 14 & under (sorry 16 year old McGlocklin fans), will receive this throwback “Johnny Mac Jersey” and have their dads and/or fun uncles explain to them who the heck John McGlocklin is. Come to this Friday night game to learn some history kids!

Sunday, February 25th vs. New Orleans Pelicans

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

The toothbrush holder returns! 5,000 kids aged 14 & under (and one 25 year old, me) will take home the coveted “Retro Bango Toothbrush Holder.” Kids all across southeastern Wisconsin will get to watch as their toothbrushes collect dust in this holder and then lie to their orthodontists about why their braces are so unclean.

Tuesday, February 27th vs. Washington Wizards

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

Wake up! It’s time for Bucks basketball! 5,000 sleepy fans will be sleepy no more as they get to place the “Alarm Clock” on their nightstands. I’m excited about this giveaway in all honesty. I do wish they would have made Bango’s arms the minute and hour hands, though.

Sunday, March 4th vs. Philadelphia 76ers

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

The first 5,000 fans aged 14 & under will get to show off this awesome “Ray Allen Lunch Bag” at the school cafeteria. This is as sharp as retro lunch bags get and I am already planning on how to snag one to take to work and then have to explain to coworkers that Ray Allen was actually on the Bucks.

Sunday, March 25th vs. San Antonio Spurs

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

Holy smokes I can’t believe the Bucks are giving out Virtual Reality goggles to the first 5,000 fans that don’t need their basketball reality to be virtual. {presses on news anchor ear bud} I’m being told that this is actually a “Viewfinder” and there are probably three of these in my parent’s basement. It will be cool to see 50 seasons worth of Buck highlights through this nostalgic toy.

Thursday, April 5th vs. Brooklyn Nets

http://www.nba.com/bucks/giveaways/

The second to last regular season home game played at the Bradley Center will see 10,000 fans walk away with a crisp looking “Retro Pennant.” That will look great until I forget to hang it up somewhere and it becomes a crumpled up and slightly torn pennant as I use it as an outlet for my nervous energy during the playoffs.

If the giveaway schedule is any indication, the 50th season of Bucks basketball appears to be primed as a runaway-nostalgia-train. Which giveaway are you looking forward to/would want to get your hands on the most?