The Memphis Tigers quite nearly became the targets of some jovial ribbing and some nasty, targeted attacks when they pushed to wear uniforms of FedEx’s colors (orange, purple and white) in their upcoming game this Wednesday night, instead of their usual blue and white. The NCAA actually gave them permission to do so, but officials and administrators at both FedEx and the University of Memphis correctly forecasted the public outcry that would ensue on “FedEx Appreciation Night” and scrapped the uniforms.
I’m torn on the issue. On the one hand, universities are always looking for money, and in this time when sponsorship dollars are harder to come by, I find it hard to chastise a group for doing what they feel they need to do. On the other hand, selling your school colors for a night? Some things should be sacred, and that’s one of them.
on Feb 17th, 2009 at 10:08 am
FedEx basically owns Memphis. When the Grizzlies were moving from Vancouver, the new ownership wanted to rename the team the Express and change the colors/logo to match to the FedEx logo/signage.
The NBA told them essentially that their team could not be a commercial for their product. But given how well the Grizz has done since their move, FedEx is probably glad they didn’t get the name change.
With this, yeah, I can definitely see Tigers fans being upset. Columbia tried something similar with Citi a few years ago and alums freaked. And that difference was just a shade of blue.
on Feb 18th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
If U of Memphis used the FedEx colors AND wore tight uniforms like the 1970s/80s, I think it could be a GREAT promotion and call it “BACK TO THE FUTURE EXPRESS” night. I would LOVE to watch the players in super tight unifroms showing their crotches up close and in Fed Ex colors.