Jalen Rose isn't a fan of the media dubbing the U.S. women's gymnastics team the 'Fab Five'
Jalen Rose has no issue with the United States' women's gymnastics Olympic team.
He does, however, have a bit of a problem with the media handing them a very familiar nickname.
In an interview with 97.1 FM's Jamie Samuelsen, the former Michigan basketball star says he's not a fan of the gold-medal winning squad being known as the "Fab Five."
"To use the nickname 'Fab Five' just points and screams of lazy journalism by the national media," Rose said. "That's really what it is. It's no fault at all of the young gymnasts, but I wish they would have been able to come up with (an even more) creative tag for them in their goal medal pursuit, because they have been terrific."
Former Michigan basketball star Jalen Rose (left) isn't a fan of the media calling the U.S. women's gymnastics team the 'Fab Five.'
AnnArbor.com file photo
According to Businessweek.com, Rose secured a trademark for the term last year, meaning any future endorsements surrounding the women's gymnastics squad and the "Fab Five" moniker could encounter a problem.
Rose, together with former Michigan stars Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King, made up Michigan's version of the Fab Five in 1991 -- a star-studded recruiting class that led the Wolverines to back-to-back Final Four appearances.
Asked by Samuelsen who exactly gave his group the nickname, he said he's not sure, but imagined it was someone in the media.
"I'm not sure, you and I know how the media work," he said. "Once the media decides what they want to call you, that's your name.
"I've heard maybe they want to be called 'Furious Five' or something different. Which led me to realize that was a tag the media put on them."
Rose made headlines earlier this year for criticizing Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman for her statement that Rose and company's removed Final Four banners may never return to the Crisler Center rafters.
Recently, Rose softened his stance on the matter and the banners -- which were removed in the wake of the Ed Martin recruiting scandal.
Currently an employee at ESPN, Rose will become part of the network's basketball version of College GameDay next season.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Xgojim
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 : 11:40 a.m.
Fierce Five? Sound like the nickname for an offensive line in football. How about Fantastic Five? They were!
psaume23
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 10:22 a.m.
Let the Olympians be associated with the nickname of "Fab Five" and maybe the masses will forget the association of the name with the University of Michigan. Those of us who love UM would just as soon forget the scandal.
jim
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 : 5:20 a.m.
the Beattles were Fab Four so the media wasn't exactly creative coming up with Fab Five. Jalen and Craig James need to go away. they spend to much time reliving their careers that were tainted and neither was anything special in the pros.
Jeff
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 6:30 p.m.
Someone should inform Rose that the name "Fab Five" was in use before he was born. The 1948 and 1949 UK Wildcats were given that name because of winning back to back national championships and an Olympic gold medal. Rose is far from being in their league. Lots of UK fans took extreme exception to the name being given to a bunch of freshmen at Michigan. Now "he" wants to complain???? Give me a freaking break. Go cry in your Wheaties and leave the adults alone Rose.
Jeff
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
And yes I meant to say that college team won the Olympics. At least the starting five, the Fab Five, combined with the Phillips Petroleum team went to the 1948 Olympics and won the gold. They were coached by Adolph Rupp too and the UK players got the vast majority of the minutes. Rose doesn't have a leg to stand on. How Rose managed to get a trademark on someone else's name is beyond me. Ignorance abounds I guess. Someone should sue Rose for infringing on the name established by the UK Wildcats. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabulous_Five_%28Kentucky_Wildcats%29
dogpaddle
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
These are FIVE graceful and very talented and FABULOUS women! Ergo, THE FAB FIVE! Enough said.
lumberg48108
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 3:11 p.m.
Oh Jalen - trying so hard to stay relevant in 2012 based on (tainted) accomplishments from 20 years ago. My advice - move on and accomplish something new. You did the documentary and you shout out all the time about banners -- OK - we heard you! Now, go accomplish something relevant today and maybe we will continue to listen to you!
Rizzle
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 2:53 p.m.
I think they shouldn't use Fab Five. Not for the reasons Jalen mentions. It really is a stale, tired, non-winning, moniker. How about instead: Fox Force Five "Fox as in we're a bunch of foxy chicks. Force as we're a force to be reckoned with. Five as there's one ... two ... three ... four ... five of us"
lumberg48108
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.
you are aware of an invention called the television, right? where they show shows!!!
vi4mi4
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.
..The Real Fab 5 (Webber, Rose, Howard, Jackson, King) Forever! Go Blue! v
JRW
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
Jalen Rose needs to get over it. He doesn't own the name "Fab Five." Stop whining, Jalen. Grow up, oh it's too late for that....
observer
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 11:26 a.m.
he seems obsessed with getting recognition again and with the Fab Five title.....why not be happy that this title has been resurrected by these fine young ladies.....what a better compliment......
ribs1
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 1:45 a.m.
Who's Jalen Rose and who care's what he thinks?
aarox
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 1:16 a.m.
I agree with most of the posts here. Jalen Rose has once again captured the essence of the Fab Five with his whining. I'm also disappointed that this article appears to hold up the Fab Five as an example of fine Michigan tradition and values, e.g, "Rose, together with former Michigan stars Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King, made up Michigan's version of the Fab Five in 1991 -- a star-studded recruiting class that led the Wolverines to back-to-back Final Four appearances." No less than Don Canham, perhaps our most successful A.D. here, said that the Fab Five was a "disgrace" to our University. My money (and values) ride with him.
Davidian
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 1:16 a.m.
How, what a hater. Last I checked, the Fab Five as a collective lost when it counted most and scandalized their alma mater. You certainly can't say the same about the women's gymnastics team, who are actually winners and have real integrity.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
If we went by "scoreboard" the young ladies in London get the nod. They actually won something.
JustfortheRecord
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.
"Douglas, 16, the first black gymnast to win the Olympic all-around title and a member of the gold-medal U.S. team, stands to make $1 million to $3 million a year in endorsements..." "Douglas and her Olympic teammates will make a base salary of more than $100,000 each for participating in the 40-city Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions that begins Sept. 8 in San Jose, California, and ends Nov. 18 in Brooklyn, New York." Amazing concept that young athletes get paid.
aarox
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.
I hope your comment is an Onion-like tongue in cheek, but I'm guessing its not. Why wouldn't talent in any field of endeavor not be compensated? Just asking.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 10:46 p.m.
They get paid when they turn pro. In gymnastics that evidently is Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions. In other sports its the NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, CFL, WNBA......
a2citizen
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 10:30 p.m.
They are young but they are not amateurs.
Marcus Adams
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 10:08 p.m.
Ok Jalen, you got your trademark, but the rest of the universe has this "Jalen Rose isn't a fan of the media dubbing the U.S. women's gymnastics team the 'Fab Five." Being gracious while holding your tongue was an opportunity missed. You sound very petty and small.
xmo
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 10:08 p.m.
It is sort of insulting to call the U.S. Women's Gymnastics Olympic Team the "Fab Five". The Michigan Basketball Team were "cheaters or those who tolerated cheaters" while the Women did not have to CHEAT or tolerate Cheaters! They did it the Right way not the "MICHIGAN WAY"!
TheWay
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 5:41 p.m.
"Cheated". I do not think this word means what you think it means.
observer
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.
a2, you sound like you have some sour grapes.....the Fab whatevers cheated and Steve Fisher stood by with a dunce cap on.....heck they set the bb program back close to ten years.....
a2citizen
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 10:28 p.m.
Some of us believe that ALL medalists in the Olympics have good pharmacists. Except for maybe the equestrians...but their horses are probably juiced.
VO Key
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 9:59 p.m.
This petulant child needs to stop trying to prop up his tarnished legacy at the U and move on with his life and career. He will have far more detractors than are warranted if he clings to that time in life when youthful exuberance and naivete brought a disgraceful ending to what was a very exciting period for UofM basketball. The Fab 5 is toxic and detrimental to what Coach Beilein is trying to build the right way. Moreover these young ladies have demonstrated more class and sportsmanship than Rose and co. ever did, and have actually won something! They are vastly more deserving of that moniker.
UofMbeBetter
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 8:51 a.m.
While were on the subject of stealing nicknames, "The U" is The university of Miami in Coral Gables. University of Michigan's nickname is "Michigan"
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
At least Jalen has the money to take on the entire world in a lawsuit. Not sure about the wisdom there, though. There is an irony in that I'd Imagine (tip of the cap to John Lennon) some people would advise Jalen to Let it Be, as Yesterday, there were those who felt the Fab Five nickname was unoriginal for much the same reason. The court is a Long and Winding Road, and, unless he draws Eleanor Rigby as his judge, I believe all Jalen will get is a good dose of Can't Buy Me Love.
Mi resident
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.
Well Said!!! :)