How A Timberwolves 'Fake' Superfan's Shirtless Gimmick Fooled The NBA Fans

We hate to break it, but Jiggly Boy isn’t actually a real person. Instead, he’s a recurring Target Center character played by John Sweeney, the owner of Brave New Workshop Comedy Theater.

To ensure their business would stay afloat, the Sweeneys had to lean on their greatest asset: their creativity. They began reaching out to organizations such as the Timberwolves franchise that needed innovative ideas.

Sweeney posed a question to the Timberwolves’ Vice President of Fan Experience Jeff Munneke in the early 2000s. Back then their answer, which still rings true today, was fan engagement.

“One of the ideas was, ‘Think of how crazy these Packers fans are. It’s 10 below zero and they’ve got their shirts off and they’re having fun,’” Sweeney said.

The idea of creating a fanbase whose loyalty didn’t waver during their team’s down years stuck with the brainstorming crew until it was eventually personified.

The original plan was for Sweeney to embrace the Dance Cam, strip down and show off his “KG” and “Spree” tattoos before ripping his shirt. As planned, all eyes of bewildered fans were on Sweeney.

But Sweeney’s character was escorted out of the arena by two policemen played by hired actors. Sweeney’s wife planned to watch the remainder of the game by herself while Sweeney hid in a suite to sell the bit.

Sweeney returned to his seat in the fourth quarter fully clothed and quickly became the hero of the night. But unbeknownst to Sweeney, the bit’s lifespan would last much longer than the duration of that Dallas game.

Sweeney’s dance moves were re-aired on local channels such as KARE 11 but also gained national attention from ESPN, “The Today Show” and “Good Morning America”.