of place. He was not great statistically but provided a c

NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Pelicans and Louisiana-based Smoothie King have reached a 10-year agreement to rename the New Orleans Arena as the Smoothie King Center. Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha said such a deal had been a "gigantic" piece of owner Tom Bensons business plan since he bought the long-struggling small-market franchise from the NBA in the spring of 2012. "Finding a naming rights partner was key to the long-term financial viability of this franchise in this market," Lauscha said. Benson, who has owned the Saints since 1985, purchased citys NBA franchise — formerly called the Hornets — for $338 million and has consolidated the headquarters and many of the business operations of both clubs. The hope was that with the two franchises sharing resources and cross-promoting one another, the region could better support two major professional sports teams. Officials with both the club and Smoothie King declined to release financial terms of the deal, which also gives Smoothie King an option for a 10-year extension. Smoothie King owner Wan Kim said sponsoring an NBA arena in New Orleans helps his company demonstrate its commitment to the community where it is based while promoting its brand globally. Smoothie King, founded in suburban New Orleans in 1973, has 674 locations in 31 states and in Asia, and is looking to expand both nationally and overseas, Smoothie King President Tom OKeefe said. Of 30 NBA cities, 21 currently have Smoothie King franchises, he said. The arena is officially being renamed on Thursday, in time for next weeks NBA All-Star festivities in New Orleans. Kim, a native of South Korea who attended college and business school in the United States, bought the company in July 2012. He said he initially considered moving its headquarters to Atlanta or Dallas. "I started to realize a lot of people who live in New Orleans, for them, its very difficult to leave the city," Kim said. "Its a very different city. Its very unique, culturally, and I did start to see why people didnt want to move. "At the same time, I did feel our root is here and I shouldnt give up on that," Kim said. "Not only did we decide not to move out, but we are pretty much telling you (with the naming rights deal) that our group is here and we are sticking with it." As part of the agreement, Smoothie King will be airing commercials during Pelicans broadcasts, as well as sponsoring pregame and postgame segments. The companys smoothies will also be available at concession stands around the arena. Team officials said there were "two or three" other candidates for a naming rights deal, but that Smoothie Kings interests seemed most aligned with the Bensons goals of promoting the business climate in his home state. "Theres no more perfect story to say how businesses can root themselves in New Orleans and grow," said Rita Benson LeBlanc, Bensons granddaughter and a part owner of the Pelicans and Saints. She added that the agreement is "a testament to how New Orleans has recovered (from Hurricane Katrina) and how Louisiana is redefining itself as an economic development engine." The deal might have been completed before this season began, but because Smoothie King products contain nutritional supplements, NBA rules required that all of the companys products be tested to ensure there were no banned substances. LeBlanc said that process took about eight months. "We couldnt have any question as to what are the contents of the products that Smoothie King actually offers," LeBlanc said. Air Max 97 Cobblestone . -- The guys in green raced off the court and into the locker room where they danced and sang, compared whose shot was most likely to end up featured on "One Shining Moment," and checked Twitter to see who was giving them a shoutout. Air Max 2018 Elite . He made the comment at a media availability Saturday prior to Game 2 of the Boston-Montreal playoff series when a Quebec reporter said there is sentiment in Quebec that the NHL looks more favourably on Seattle than Quebec City when it comes to future expansion. http://www.2018airmax97.it/2017-nike-air-vapormax.html . Sociedad remained in sixth place with Villarreal a point behind in seventh, both in Europa League spots and in striking distance of fourth place and the final Champions League berth. Sociedad forward Carlos Vela chipped goalkeeper Jaime Jimenez after receiving an equally exquisite lobbed pass from Ruben Pardo to set him up in the 23rd minute at Anoeta Stadium. Nike Air Max 97 Silver Vendita On Line . Simon (10-3) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in 6 1-3 innings to break a tie with the Dodgers Zack Greinke and Cardinals Adam Wainwright for the NL lead in victories. Simon went to spring training as a relief pitcher and moved into the starting rotation when Mat Latos was recovering from elbow and knee surgeries. Nike Air Max 2018 Uomo . Claude Noel will be the man behind the bench when the team hits the ice of the MTS Centre to begin its inaugural season.The Canadian Football Leagues ninth team, the Ottawa Redblacks, still have a long way to go. The 2014 season does have a grace period around it as far as the football season goes and if the Redblacks finish 2-16, which is a distinct possibility, then so be it. From my perception I am just enjoying the fact they are back in the league and as a whole the league is one step closer to a magical 10th team. I anticipated they would have their difficulties and though going into the 18th week of play I was hoping for more than two wins I am not overly disappointed but mildly concerned. The Redblacks organization has a good fan base. They are young, loud and from what I can see from my television screen enjoying TD Place and all that goes with it. But next year if they do not start winning and competing there wont be as many in the seats. And the year after that if things dont change there will be a few less again. And the pattern could be established. It is a challenge in CFL football that the bottom two or even three teams do have attendance issues and the top two or three dont have that problem. I find this issue similar in almost all sports but in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB your television revenues and number of teams hide the issue. The NFL has a problem drawing in-stadium fans win or lose and other teams do that do not have success. It is not an unusual problem but in our league it can mean profit or debt. I am very confident in all the people running the Redblacks but next year has to be different and truth is the last three games this year can set up next year. Nothing is more important than finding and keeping good players. In Hamilton it was a good move picking up Nick Grigsby as a running back. Not sure what happened in Winnipeg but who cares. For the Ticats he is a hired gun to replace the ability of injured Mossis Madu and CJ Gable. Come in, learn the offence and have a good attitude. Without a running back I dont give the Ticats much of a chance but with a running back or just the threat of a running game the Ticats are as good as any in the East and can finish first or third. To run an effective offence six things have to be equal in effectiveness. Interior runs and perimeter runs. Deceptive and trick plays, draws screens, and reverse plays. Short, intermediate and long pass plays and a short yardage package of plays. When you start listing these, all of a sudden in your playbook you have over 200 plays to cover all the areas but, and this is critical, without a good running back you can eliminate half of what you want to do. Good job of Hamilton picking up Grigsby.dddddddddddd He may have attitude questions but he is a great athlete and an educated running back. With Montreal, surprise, surprise they are looking good. Jonathan Crompton has a unique skill set but it works and this was a typical game for him, 19-of-28, 219 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Nothing spectacular at all but when the game ends, Montreal wins. Defensively only 12 yards allowed in the third quarter for the Argonauts and they could not get past their own 40-yard line. Tom Higgins as a head coach has earned some credit. His re-organization of the offence has worked and what was dysfunctional is now rather efficient. Jeff Garcia makes a difference and Higgins stayed the course. With Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton 1-2-3 in the division, Montreal controls it all and I would have never thought that 10 weeks ago. What I do think now is that Calgary is the best in the league and Jon Cornish is a very good running back. Those are obvious statements I know but as a team with exceptional depth Calgary is exceptional. And with Dave Dickenson calling plays Cornish receives his opportunities to excel. Dickenson never forgets his best player and it seems like every two, three or at the most four plays it is Cornish who gets the ball. Its smart, disciplined play calling from a smart disciplined former player in Dave Dickenson. Winnipeg is experiencing the same issue, a defence that cant play effective run defence as Cornish ran for 160 yards on only 21 carries. In Sunday afternoons Edmonton-Saskatchewan game Kerry Joseph started at quarterback and I was surprised. It had been October 2012 since he had been a starter and overall he did not look out of place. He was not great statistically but provided a calming effect and some good moments. Take away the Kendial Lawrence kick return for a touchdown and the Riders could have won that one. Would I stick with Joseph for the Calgary game next week and Edmonton the final week? Yes I would. Overall 17-of-36 for 213 yards is not spectacular but I think given more reps and time Joseph will improve. I cant say that with the other two quarterbacks on the Riders roster right now. Watch out for B.C. They have gone three straight games without a touchdown allowed on defence. They are playing Winnipeg and Edmonton on the road, but Week 20 at home to Calgary may be a meaningless game for the Stampeders. And finally, watch out for Montreal. They look confident and holding Ray to 200 yards passing says a lot. Three weeks to go, and six playoff opportunities around the league. ' ' '