SWC75
Bored Historian
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
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In the old, old days schools whose colors contrasted played with their jerseys in their school colors, even in the road. That's why old black and white newsreels show both teams in dark jerseys:
But the fans at the stadium saw a much more colorful sight:
1949 Sugar Bowl - Oklahoma vs. North Carolina
That changed when TV became the dominant source of viewership and revenue: the networks wanted on team to wear white jerseys so viewers could tell them apart. Color TV was common by the end of the 60's but they've never switched back to using colored jerseys when there is a contrast, with some exceptions. One of those exceptions is on ESPN now. Oregon, all in green is playing Oregon State, all in orange on ESPN. It's gaudy but fun to watch and I wish it was done more often.
But the fans at the stadium saw a much more colorful sight:
1949 Sugar Bowl - Oklahoma vs. North Carolina
That changed when TV became the dominant source of viewership and revenue: the networks wanted on team to wear white jerseys so viewers could tell them apart. Color TV was common by the end of the 60's but they've never switched back to using colored jerseys when there is a contrast, with some exceptions. One of those exceptions is on ESPN now. Oregon, all in green is playing Oregon State, all in orange on ESPN. It's gaudy but fun to watch and I wish it was done more often.
