The Univ. of Alabama football team for years has "taken the field in the familiar crimson and white," but the wording on a jersey listing on the official site of UA athletics "sparked speculation on Tuesday that Alabama might soon follow the lead of college football teams around the nation and take the field in an alternate jersey," according to Ty West of the BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL. The listing says the limited edition Nike "Blackout" jersey is "designed in the same styling as the gear your favorite players will wear on the field in the 2013 Blackout Game." UA student newspaper Crimson White Sports Editor Marc Torrence said that school officials "are working on having the text corrected on the listing." Aside from the "potential fan uproar that would result from Alabama taking the field in black jerseys, there's a logistical reason you shouldn't expect the Crimson Tide to don these Nike jerseys any time soon." The jerseys, with their "dark numerals on top of the black, appear to violate a new NCAA rule that states the numerals must clearly contrast with the jersey." Although UA has "mostly stayed true to its crimson and white uniforms over the years, the Crimson Tide has mixed it up -- albeit slightly -- from time to time" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/18).
MARKETING 101: GOLF DIGEST's Mike Stachura reported Alabama is one of 19 colleges Bridgestone Golf has signed a deal with "to sell officially logoed golf balls." The logos are available "only on any Bridgestone ball through its custom program, but specially logoed packages of the Bridgestone e6 ... will be available at retail starting this week ($32)." Bridgestone Golf Marketing Manager for Golf Balls Corey Consuegra said that Alabama and LSU "have drawn the most early orders, but he expects Ohio State to be right at the top, as well" (GOLF DIGEST STIX, 9/18 issue).
