Fan-made bobblehead figurines depicting the characters Ilya, Scott, and Shane are now available for purchase on Etsy [1].

The merchandise reflects the growing cultural footprint of the "Heated Rivalry" story, bridging the gap between digital fandom and physical collectibles. These items serve as a parody of the original hockey romance book and its corresponding HBO Max series [1], [2].

The figurines feature the three characters in shirtless attire and holding large sticks [1]. This specific design choice leans into the romantic and athletic themes of the source material, catering to a dedicated audience that follows the characters' interpersonal dynamics.

This wave of merchandise coincides with other fan-driven projects. An unauthorized stage parody based on the book and series is scheduled to premiere off-Broadway [2]. The musical aims to translate the tension of the romance to a live theater setting.

AOL Lifestyle said the upcoming production is an unauthorized stage parody of the beloved hockey romance [2]. The publication said the theater would need to keep the air conditioning blasting because the musical looks hot [2].

While the figurines are sold by independent creators on Etsy, they represent a broader trend of "unauthorized" fan art and performance. Such products often emerge when a fandom's demand for physical goods exceeds the official merchandise provided by the original publishers or streaming platforms [1], [2].

“The figurines feature the three characters in shirtless attire and holding large sticks.”

The emergence of unauthorized merchandise and a parody musical indicates that 'Heated Rivalry' has transitioned from a niche literary success to a broader pop-culture phenomenon. When fans create their own physical products and stage shows, it demonstrates a level of engagement that often pressures official rights holders to expand their own merchandising and licensing strategies to capture untapped market demand.