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Gary Parrish

Parrish: The Thoughts  

Name: gary parrish
Gender: M
Member Since: February 8, 2007
Email: gparrish@cbs.com
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Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple

Posted on: February 13, 2009 2:36 pm
Edited on: February 14, 2009 5:17 pm
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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.

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Category: NCAAB
Tags: Memphis
 
Comments Add a Comment
Kingofzachland
Since: Jul 15, 2008
Posted on: February 13, 2009 4:57 pm
 

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 ]
RainMan Memphis
Since: Feb 13, 2009
Posted on: February 13, 2009 4:54 pm
 

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 ]
NateO
Since: Feb 13, 2007
Posted on: February 13, 2009 3:55 pm
 

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 ]
LonghornsUnite!
Since: Nov 5, 2008
Posted on: February 13, 2009 3:44 pm
 

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 ]
andtinez
Since: Dec 15, 2008
Posted on: February 13, 2009 3:43 pm
 

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 ]
BigNav96
Since: Jan 27, 2009
Posted on: February 13, 2009 3:30 pm
 

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 ]
Naptown, Inc.
Since: Dec 2, 2007
Posted on: February 13, 2009 3:29 pm
 

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 ]
zobmondo
Since: Sep 10, 2007
Posted on: February 13, 2009 2:53 pm
 

Memphis ends plans to wear orange and purple

We do play in their arena. 



[ Reply to Comment ]
About Parrish: The Thoughts
Gary Parrish is CBSSports.com's college basketball columnist. Contrary to popular belief, he does not use a tanning bed or anything unnatural to color his skin. He was simply tan the afternoon he took that picture, the result of lounging at a Las Vegas pool for five consecutive days.
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