World’s greatest sports mascot prevented by George Lucas

Admiral Ackbar may have led rebel forces to victory in the “Star Wars” saga, but he lost a simple fight for fame in Mississippi.

The University of Mississippi Rebels were without a mascot since 2003 when the question was put out the student body by vote. A group of (geeks) students used a bit of cool logic in conceiving of the perfect mascot in Ackbar: After all, he’s the Rebel Leader, right?

"What else are you going to do? Vote third-party?"

Naturally, Ackbar won the popular vote among the students.

Just as naturally, George Lucas nixed the idea. After all, what’s the point of having an idea if you can’t humorlessly squeeze every penny out of it, right, George?

Check out ESPN’s commercial spot on the subject which debuted a couple days ago. And then curse Lucas’ name some more for preventing one beautiful marriage between sports and science-fiction.

(You know, maybe it *was* just too perfect.)

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