Fussball » defeating the New York Knicks for their first playoff series

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 Günstig . Smith, an eighth overall pick, had two goals in only 276 minutes of playing time over 16 appearances last season. The left side midfielder played only 43 minutes in three games this season. Air Max 97 Günstig Kaufe .com) - Will Conant booted a 39-yard field goal as time expired and Air Force played spoiler with a 27-24 win over 21st- ranked Colorado State on Friday. http://www.airmax97schweiz.ch/ . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Defensive Depth TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have considerable interest in unrestricted free-agent defenceman Dan Boyle. Günstige Air Max 97 Schweiz . On Thursday theyll learn even more. Despite the cloud of uncertainty that has followed them around from the moment general manager Masai Ujiri was brought in to put his stamp on the franchise, the Raptors have surpassed all pre-season expectations. Air Max 97 Herren Schweiz . Sizemore, who turned 29 on Jan. 4, has been limited to six games over the past two seasons because of an injured left knee that twice required surgery. He originally got hurt on Feb. 25, 2012, during a fielding drill in Oaklands first full-squad spring training workout and had surgery that March 21 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.The Toronto Raptors thrilling win over the Brooklyn Nets last night has broken the teams all-time television record, as overnight data from BBM Canada confirms the game attracted an average audience of 1 million viewers to TSN from tip-off to final buzzer – making it the single most-watched Raptors game ever. Audience levels peaked at more than 2 million viewers late in the fourth quarter as the Raptors secured their 115-113 victory. Game 5 was the #1 sports program on Canadian television yesterday, ahead of three Game 7s in the NHL Playoffs. The Raptors continue to captivate viewers in their hometown market, as Game 5 was the most-watched program of the day in the Greater Toronto Area, and achieved a 21.9 per cent share. In total, 4 million unique viewers tuned in to watch Kyle Lowrys 36-point performance in a heart-stopping game that sees the Raptors now just one win away from a trip to the Second Round. Overall, the Raptors First Round NBA PLAYOFFS series against the Brooklyn Nets on TSN has attracted a total audience reach of more than 7 million unique viewers through the first five games. The Road to 1 Million The five Raptors games that have held the title of most-watched ever:• Nov. 3, 1995 – Raptors inaugural game vs. Nets – 580,000• Dec.dddddddddddd 10, 1995 – Raptors vs. Grizzlies (first NBA game between two Canadian teams) – 605,000• May 6, 2001 – After defeating the New York Knicks for their first playoff series win, Raptors beat Philadelphia in Game 1 of the Second Round – 819,000• May 20, 2001 – Two weeks later, Raptors lose Game 7 of the Second Round series vs. Philadelphia (Vince Carter misses the winning shot at the buzzer) – 916,000• April 30, 2014 – Raptors take 3-2 series lead in First Round vs. Nets – 1,003,000 The Raptors on TSNCanadians can continue to follow the Raptors on Canadas Sports Leader throughout the First Round of the NBA PLAYOFFS. Live coverage continues tomorrow (Friday, May 2) with the Raptors looking for the clinching victory in Game 6: Toronto @ Brooklyn at 7 p.m. ET on TSN, TSN GO, and TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto. The broadcast schedule for Games 6 & 7 is as follows**:• Game 6: Toronto @ Brooklyn – Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m. ET on TSN • Game 7: Brooklyn @ Toronto – Sunday, May 4 at TBD (if necessary) TSNs complete NBA post-season coverage, which includes the NBA FINALS, is available for live streaming on TSN GO. ' ' '