When Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson faced the press after the team’s Nov. 27 win over the Falcons, questions weren’t about his yardage or the team’s victory.
It was about the comically gigantic hat he was wearing.
“If you want a big hat, let me know,” Robinson said.
Brian Robinson said his friend has a “big hat” company. “If you want a big hat, let me know.” pic.twitter.com/KXm3GCJWO1
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) November 27, 2022
It turns out that hat wasn’t a one-off. It was just another creation by a company called NogginBoss, which specializes in, you guessed it, big hats.
NogginBoss was founded by Gabe Cooper and Sean Starner in 2019. After appeariing on Shark Tank and handing out self-promo giant hats to the sharks, Cooper and Starner said their next step is licensing.
“We have created the world’s first high-quality, fully customizable hat for our die-hard fans called NogginBoss, and they are turning heads everywhere,” Starner said. “NogginBosses are social media magnets.”
They’re right. They’re certainly eye-catching. It’s the same general concept of something like a foam finger – a product meant to catch attention at an event. The idea came from founder Cooper wearing a large hat at a silliest-dressed golf event he attended with his daughter. He noticed the attention he received, and put two and two together.
Rocking the Noggin Boss hats on Peyton & Eli tonight. pic.twitter.com/YkBFV4WHU5
— Sean Ash (@SeanAshWX) December 13, 2022
After getting demand from major sports leagues and events, the two went to Shark Week to find a partner who could help navigate the licensing waters.
So far, the two have sold licensed hats to the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Mavericks, as well as nonprofit events and golf tournaments, and are looking to expand further into licensing. They also received contact from various year-end NCAA football bowl games for giant hats.
Is the #nogginboss hat the greatest hat ever? pic.twitter.com/9tBZXQkCRU
— Big Paw Jim (@BigPawJimmy) December 10, 2022
As an everyday hat, it is extremely impractical. But, as a novelty giveaway or stadium look, it’s perfect. Everyone wants to end up on the jumbotron. This is a surefire way to do it.
This is like witnessing the invention of the foam finger all over again. It takes the quality construction of a real, normally-fitting cap, and blows it up to larger-than-life proportions. That means a larger space for logos, which is ideal for the promotional products industry.
So, what do you think? Would you wear the giant hat?
