Univ. Of Memphis Basketball Will Not Wear FedEx-Inspired Jerseys

Memphis AD Says There Were Criticisms About Jerseys

The Univ. of Memphis (UM) men's basketball team "considered -- but has decided against -- playing a game in FedEx-inspired orange and purple jerseys," according to Dan Wolken of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. The jerseys "were under consideration as an appreciation of FedEx -- a major supporter of the athletic program" -- for tomorrow's game against SMU at FedExForum. UM AD R.C. Johnson said "there was criticism" about the team wearing the jerseys. Johnson: "It's not that big of a deal. ... If people are uptight about it, we just won't do it." UM coach John Calipari said, "I thought it was one of the great appreciation moves I've ever seen." Calipari said that the jerseys "would be auctioned off during the team's basketball banquet" March 8 at The Peabody hotel (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 2/13). CBSSPORTS.com's Gary Parrish cited a source who indicated that FedEx and UM "nixed the plan, fearing a backlash both locally and nationally about an NCAA team blurring the lines between amateur sports and commercial revenue." The source said that the NCAA "had been contacted," and UM was told it "could wear the colors as long as the word 'FedEx' didn't appear anywhere" (CBSSPORTS.com, 2/14).

SHIPPING OUT: In Birmingham, Kevin Scarbinsky writes if UM wore the FedEx colors it "would've been one of the greatest marketing gimmicks in the history of college athletics because, unlike a lot of marketing gimmicks in college athletics, it would've been honest." Univ. of Alabama-Birmingham men's basketball coach Mike Davis said, "People are always upset about something, but Memphis has got a big-time edge, which is great for them and for Coach Calipari." Davis jokingly added of the uniforms, "If FedEx gives us $2[M], we'll wear them." (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 2/17). YAHOO SPORTS' Matthew Darnell wrote of UM wearing the FedEx-inspired uniforms, "What would have been the harm? ... Heaven forbid that someone get the idea that corporate money is involved with college basketball" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/16).