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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. Dale Hunter Jersey . 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. Ilya Samsonov Jersey . - Aaron Rodgers makes tough throws that can leave fans of the Green Bay Packers speechless. Custom Washington Capitals Jerseys . Neither player was available Saturday for the Knicks 107-98 loss in Atlanta. "Were going in a different direction and weve got to figure out another spot or two for our ballclub," coach Mike Woodson said before the game. http://www.shopcapitalsonline.com/Capitals-Dmitry-Orlov-Adidas-Jersey/ .com) - Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were among the third-round winners Friday at the French Open.NEW YORK -- Dillon Gee seems to have the right change-of-speed repertoire to defeat the Washington Nationals. A couple lucky hops always help, too. Gee beat Washington for the third time this season and the New York Mets scored the go-ahead run when third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and shortstop Ian Desmond made errors on the same strange play for a 5-1 win Saturday. "Things kind of bounced my way," Gee said. Daniel Murphy delivered three hits and first baseman Josh Satin started a pair of nifty double plays as the Mets won for the ninth time in 14 games. The Nationals fell back to .500, losing to the team with the worst home record in the majors. Gee (6-7) gave up one run in six innings, working around six hits and three walks. The right-hander has excelled against Washington, permitting just two runs in 18 2-3 innings this year while accounting for half of his win total. Gee is 6-1 lifetime against the Nationals -- he hasnt beaten any other opponent more than three times. "Im not really sure what it is," he said. "I try to keep them off-balance." Gee also got a nice break in the first. After Zimmerman walked with two outs, Adam LaRoche followed with a long double that bounced over the right-field fence. Had the ball hit the wall and stayed in play, Zimmerman couldve scored. Instead, Zimmerman had to stop at third base and Jayson Werth struck out to end the threat. Gee reported no problem from forearm trouble thats come and gone all season. Manager Terry Collins said the Mets might rejigger their rotation around the All-Star break to give him more time in-betweeb starts. Taylor Jordan (0-1) lasted 4 1-3 innings in his big league debut. He was promoted from Double-A earlier in the day and gave up three runs, although a pair of errors by Zimmerman helped make two of them unearned. "He pitched his butt off, and we didnt help him out much," Desmond said. It was 1-all in the fifth when Murphy led off with a single and took second on a groundout. Marlon Byrd followed with a hard bouncer that handcuffed Zimmerman and deflected in the air, where Desmond alertly caught the ball with his bare hand on the edge of the outfield grass. But Desmond tried an off-balance throw to get Murphy at third, and he skipped an awkward toss. The ball hit Murphy in the hip and skittered away, and he hustled home andd slid in ahead of Zimmermans throw. Rod Langway Jersey. Kirk Nieuwenhuis added a sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead. "When I saw the ball go off Zimmerman, I was thinking about scoring," Murphy said. "Then I saw Desi get it, and I had to make sure he didnt drop one on the bag and get me out. Once it got loose, I took off." A day earlier, Desmond made a bad throw to first that stopped his 59-game errorless string. This time, he threw behind the runner. "I have been playing aggressive, trying to backdoor guys like that," Desmond said. "I think that one just didnt work out. If it doesnt hit his body, the ball just sits there and nothing happens." Eric Young Jr. had a sacrifice fly, and Byrd hit an RBI single in the sixth. Carlos Torres pitched two innings, and LaTroy Hawkins went the ninth to close it out for the Mets, a day after their bullpen blew a late 4-1 lead for starter Matt Harvey. The 24-year-old Jordan earned his promotion after going a combined 9-1 with a 1.00 ERA in Double-A and Class A this year. Murphy singled with two outs in the third for the Mets first hits. Jordan gave up five hits, walked two, hit a batter and struck out one. He also collected a couple of souvenirs -- the ball for fanning Gee for his first strikeout, and another ball after he lined a single up the middle for his first big league hit. Jordan hit 95 mph on the stadium radar gun, featuring a delivery where he whips the ball behind his back and then slings it to the plate. The right-hander is in the rotation while struggling Dan Haren is on the disabled list, and will soon be back at Citi Field -- hes been picked the represent the Nationals in the All-Star Futures game in two weeks. NOTES: Washington tied a season high with three errors. ... Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler had stiffness in his lower back after Friday nights start. He was on the disabled list earlier this season for a strain in his back. Manager Davey Johnson says that if Detwiler cant make his next start, RHP Ross Ohlendorf will fill in. ... Mets rookie RHP Zack Wheeler (1-0, 3.18) makes his home debut Sunday vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (4-3, 3.31). "The future is right around the corner," Collins said. ... Omar Quintanilla singled to end an 0-for-17 rut and later doubled for the Mets. ... Satin is 8 for 17 during a five-game hitting streak. Discount Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online Jerseys NFL China Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping China Jerseys Cheap ' ' '