Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple

Memphis basketball in orange and purple uniforms?

A source close to the school told CBSSports.com early Friday that there were plans for Memphis to hold a FedEx Appreciation Night during Wednesday's game against SMU -- at FedExForum, it's worth noting -- in which the Tigers would wear FedEx's orange and purple colors instead of their traditional blue and white. In fact, jerseys had been developed. But by Friday afternoon -- after questions started being asked -- a separate source told CBSSports.com that FedEx and Memphis nixed the plan, fearing a backlash both locally and nationally about an NCAA team blurring the lines between amateur sports and commercial revenue.

FedEx is a Memphis-based company that heavily supports the University of Memphis.

According to a source, the NCAA had been contacted.

Memphis was told it could wear the colors as long as the word "FedEx" didn't appear anywhere.

Click this link to see the proposed orange and purple Memphis jersey.

zobmondo Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 10, 2007	Posted on: February 13, 2009 2:53 pm Score: 103 Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple We do play in their arena. [ Reply to Comment ]
Naptown, Inc. Reputation: 90 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 2, 2007	Posted on: February 13, 2009 3:29 pm Score: 9 Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple I couldn't get the pic to show up...might have been deleted. What's the big deal anyway? As long as the word FedEx wasn't on the uniform anywhere! Adidas is on the headbands they wear and so forth. Aren't there bigger problems in collegiate sports to worry about such as cutting class, drugs, player's family members running onto the court and confronting the refs!?!?!?! [ Reply to Comment ]
BigNav96 Reputation: 70 Level: Pro Since: Jan 27, 2009	Posted on: February 13, 2009 3:30 pm Score: -1 Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple Parrish, "FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Arkansas point guard Courtney Fortson was suspended indefinitely by coach John Pelphrey on Thursday." It's like he's laughing in your face for ever thinking Arkansas was good. Navin [ Reply to Comment ]
andtinez Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 15, 2008	Posted on: February 13, 2009 3:43 pm Score: 100 Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple Clemson thinks this is a terrible idea. Seriously, who wears purple and orange together? [ Reply to Comment ]
LonghornsUnite! Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 5, 2008	Posted on: February 13, 2009 3:44 pm Score: 73 Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple Teams shouldn't wear arena-sponsor colors: Imagine the NBA if that were true: Quicken Loans Arena: Cavaliers: Red and White Staples Center: Lakers: Red and White Target Center: Timberwolves: Red and White AT&T Center: Spurs: White and Blue U.S. Airways Arena: Suns: White and Black American Airlines Center: Heat: Silver/Red&Blue American Airlines Arena: Mavericks: Silver/Red&Blue Verizon Center: Wizards: Red and Black Pepsi Center: Nuggets: Red, Blue & White Time Warner Cable Arena: Bobcats: Blue & Dark Gold United Center: Bulls: Grey, Red & Blue Philips Arena: Hawks: Blue & White And more... The point I'm trying to make is that no matter what, wearing the colors of a sponsor generates similar-same colors for every team, they're tacky as hell, and they create something corporate overdone out of a historic sport and franchise. Bad idea all the way. [ Reply to Comment ]
NateO Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 13, 2007	Posted on: February 13, 2009 3:55 pm Score: 108 Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple It's probably a good idea to scrap this, seeing as it's the dumbest idea, ever. Where does this madness end? [ Reply to Comment ]
RainMan Memphis Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Feb 13, 2009	Posted on: February 13, 2009 4:54 pm Score: 105 Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple Actually, they paid the Grizzlies for the naming rights to the arena. It doesn't belong to them. This is another case where political correctness and the fear of some group or entity claiming that Memphis is mixing corporate money and amatuer athletics. There is nothing wrong with having an appreciation night for FedEx- particularly on the day they hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Tiger baseball stadium FedEx is funding. Could we just have a little common sense, please? [ Reply to Comment ]
Kingofzachland Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jul 15, 2008	Posted on: February 13, 2009 4:57 pm Score: 91 Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple I'm actually surprised Memphis EVER considered this idea. Donning Orange in Tennessee when you're Memphis? Hmm. [ Reply to Comment ]
jgpennin Reputation: 85 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 11, 2007	Posted on: February 13, 2009 5:06 pm Score: -17 Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple Here's a link to a brief article in the Memphis Commercial Appeal - PICTURES INCLUDED http://www.commercialappeal.com/new s/2009/feb/13/fashion-statement-tig ers-considered-switching-fede/?feedback=1#comments [ Reply to Comment ]
bradhurt2003 Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 3, 2007	Posted on: February 13, 2009 8:34 pm Score: 63 Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple I think that is the biggest reason they should never have considered this idea. Orange looks ugly enough on the Vols. Surely the Tigers have too much class and pride to want to look that bad! [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

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