The New York Times ran an interesting piece a few days about the reunion of the Michigan Wolverines Fab Five at the Final Four tourney in Detroit.
It's been 17 years since the Fab five freshman group of Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson led the Wolverines to the first of two back-to-back championship games. Although Michigan didn't win a national title, which was just compounded by the bad news that was later revealed that boosters were paying some of the players most notably Chris Webber; the two years of the Fab Five are still viewed as a special time in college hoops history.
"The publicity, excitement and student application increases that accompany a phenomenon like the Fab Five prompts universities to spend lavishly on athletics. The Fab Five were so popular that their hallmark droopy shorts and black Nikes became omnipresent. Jerry Wainwright (DePaul coach) said that the Fab Five’s success, especially for Nike, blended the business side of college sports with the athletic side for the first time on a large scale. "
Despite the mixed feelings people have about this group, those Michigan led Fab Five teams were a huge sports business success. They brought in an increase of 61% in athletic royalties in the two years they were together and their two final appearances are the No. 1 and No. 2 most watched NCAA games in history.
It's been 17 years since the Fab five freshman group of Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson led the Wolverines to the first of two back-to-back championship games. Although Michigan didn't win a national title, which was just compounded by the bad news that was later revealed that boosters were paying some of the players most notably Chris Webber; the two years of the Fab Five are still viewed as a special time in college hoops history.
"The publicity, excitement and student application increases that accompany a phenomenon like the Fab Five prompts universities to spend lavishly on athletics. The Fab Five were so popular that their hallmark droopy shorts and black Nikes became omnipresent. Jerry Wainwright (DePaul coach) said that the Fab Five’s success, especially for Nike, blended the business side of college sports with the athletic side for the first time on a large scale. "
Despite the mixed feelings people have about this group, those Michigan led Fab Five teams were a huge sports business success. They brought in an increase of 61% in athletic royalties in the two years they were together and their two final appearances are the No. 1 and No. 2 most watched NCAA games in history.
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