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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. Daniel Kilgore Jersey . He was still a kid, going into his senior year of high school. Thursday, the point guard stood in front of a couple dozen members of the media and spoke with poise about how much hed grown since then, and how hes ready for the next level. Durham Smythe Dolphins Jersey . - Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis said Wednesday hes "nodded off" during meetings, but he said its something every player does. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolph...Sanders-Jersey/. LOUIS -- When Braves second baseman Tyler Pastornicky backpedaled into shallow right field to catch the popup and Jason Heyward didnt arrive fast enough to take charge, Kolten Wong got the green light. Danny Amendola Jersey . According to TSN Edmonton reporter Ryan Rishaug, agent Rick Valette met with Oilers senior VP of hockey operations Scott Howson and general manager Craig MacTavish on Monday to kick off the talks. Josh Sitton Jersey .Hammel pitched inside more and it helped him get into the seventh inning as the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Friday night.ANTIGONISH, N.S. – Donald Chisholm scored an emotional and convincing victory in front of the hometown crowd as he took his first career NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 checkered flag in Saturdays Wilson Equipment 300 at Riverside International Speedway. The victory for Chisholm, from Antigonish, came in his 16th career start. A part-time competitor since 2007, he became the 15th different winner in Canadian Tire Series history. "I honestly can hardly believe that its happening," Chisholm said from Victory Lane. "Weve been fast a bunch [of times previously] with these guys and just had misfortune, and tonight it all stayed together." Chisholm, whose family owns Riverside, captured the victory less than two months after his father and track founder, John, passed away. Chisholm also earned his first career pole earlier in the evening. Chisholms No. 28 Keltic Ford/Nova Construction Ford was followed across the finish line by only three other lead lap cars: Alex Labbe, D.J. Kennington and Andrew Ranger. Both Kennington and Ranger passed Chisholm in the closing laps to rejoin the lead lap. Mark Dilley, points leader L.P. Dumoulin, J.R. Fitzpatrick, Noel Dowler and rookies John Flemming and Matthew Scannell brought home the top 10. Jason Hathaway appeared poised to defend his Riverside win from a year ago. He was cruising in the lead when he collided with the spun Flemming car while navigating lap traffic on Lap 240. For Labbe, who has turned in competitive performances this year in a part-time role, the runner-up was his best career Canadian Tire Series finish to-date. "We had a great run," Labbe said. "We had a great car at the end, struggled a bit at the beginning, and just made our way back through the pack. Im really happy to get my first podium here at Antigonish." Dumoulin leaves Riverside with the same points advantage he arrived with, 26 tallies ahead of Fitzpatrick, and now Ranger, who is tied for second. Hathaways Riverside misfortune now has him 47 points back in fourth. Each of the last two Canadian Tire Series races have featured hometown winners. In addition to Chisholm, Dumoulin was victorious last week in his native Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, in the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres.dddddddddddd Chisholm also became the first first-time winner the Canadian Tire Series has featured since Dumoulin won the 2013 season-opener at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The Wilson Equipment 300 will premiere on TSN on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 2:30 p.m., and on RDS2 on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. The Canadian Tire Series will return to action with the Pintys presents the Clarington 200 on Aug. 31 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ont. NASCAR Canadian Tire Series pres. by Mobil 1-Wilson Equipment 300 Unofficial Results SaturdayAt Riverside International SpeedwayAntigonish, N.S.Lap length: 0.333 miles(Start position in parentheses)1. (1) Donald Chisholm, Antigonish, N.S., Ford, 300 laps, 58.813 mph.2. (8) Alex Labbe, Saint-Albert, Que., Dodge, 300.3. (5) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas, Ont., Dodge, 300.4. (2) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Que., Dodge, 300.5. (10) Mark Dilley, Barrie, Ont., Ford, 299.6. (15) L.P. Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Que., Dodge, 299.7. (9) J.R. Fitzpatrick, Ayr, Ont., Chevrolet, 299.8. (13) Noel Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alta., Chevrolet, 299.9. (11) John Flemming, Halifax, N.S., Dodge, 297.10. (12) Matthew Scannell, Milton. Ont., Dodge, 296.11. (7) Joey McColm, Ajax, Ont., Dodge, 296.12. (4) Jason Hathaway, Dutton, Ont., Chevrolet, 286.13. (16) Paul Jean, St-Eustache, Que., Dodge, 280.14. (6) Stefan Rzadzinski, Edmonton, Alta., Dodge, 63, suspension.15. (3) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ont., Dodge, 42, brakes.16. (14) Kerry Micks, Mount Albert, Ont., Ford, 8, electrical. Race Statistics Time of Race: 1 hour 41 minutes 55 secondsMargin of Victory: 2.682 secondsFastest Qualifier: D.Chisholm (82.443 mph, 14.541 seconds)Caution Flags: 4 for 49 laps.Lead Changes: 8 among 5 drivers.Lap Leaders: A. Ranger 1-3; D. Chisholm 4-36; A. Ranger 37-139; J. Fitzpatrick 140; N. Dowler 141-146; J. Fitzpatrick 147-162; D. Chisholm 163-172; J. Hathaway 173-240; D. Chisholm 241-300. Standings: 1. L. Dumoulin, 337; 2. A. Ranger, 311; 3. J. Fitzpatrick, 311; 4. J. Hathaway, 290; 5. D. Kennington, 285; 6. S. Steckly, 280; 7. N. Dowler, 270; 8. J. McColm, 245; 9. M. Dilley, 199; 10. A. Tagliani, 192. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys discount uswnt jersey Wholesale AC Milan Jerseys Wholesale Arsenal Jerseys Wholesale A.S. 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