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. Corey Levin 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. Wesley Woodyard Jersey . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. Brett Kern Jersey . -- C.J. Wilson parked his car and laughed while signing autographs for faceless fans who handed bats, balls and cards to the pitcher from the other side of a brick wall. http://www.cheaptitansjerseyssale.com/?tag=kenneth-durden-jersey-sale .com) - The Golden State Warriors have started another winning streak and theyll try to pad it Tuesday night when they head to Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Lakers.ANAHEIM, Calif. - For the second straight night, the Baltimore Orioles got a strong performance from a starting pitcher who spent the All-Star break in the minor leagues and stayed on his regular routine. It worked for Miguel Gonzalez, just like it did for Bud Norris. Gonzalez took a two-hit shutout into the eighth inning, Jonathan Schoop homered and J.J. Hardy hit two RBI doubles to lead the Orioles to a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night. Gonzalez (5-5) was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, where he was optioned on July 11 so that he wouldnt get stale after consecutive eight-inning no-decisions. Norris, who was optioned to Double-A Bowie on July 10, beat the Angels 4-2 Monday night in his return to the rotation. Were fortunate they both had (minor league) options," manager Buck Showalter said. "I think Bud was a day away from not being able to get optioned because of his service time, so it was a good catch by our front office. "It worked out well for both of them because they also got to spend some time in their hometowns out here. You just dont want to see guys lie around too long during the break and be inactive, but we have a lot of starters with options. So thats why we were able to do it." Gonzalez (5-5) allowed two runs and three hits in 7 2-3 innings, including a two-run homer in the eighth by All-Star game MVP Mike Trout after a walk to No. 9 hitter Hank Conger. The Angels other hits against Gonzalez were singles by Efren Navarro in the third and fifth innings. "I think it was beneficial for me, to go down there and keep doing what I was doing, and not getting that extra rest — especially after the last two outings I had," Gonzalez said. "Im pretty happy about everything in general tonight. I gave us a chance to win a ballgame." Showalter added: "Thats as good as you can see a guy pitch, especially in a hostile environment against a really good team. Thats about as sharp as Ive seen Miggy in a while. He had everything working and everything at his disposal, and he had command of it." Tommy Hunter, making his 200th career appearance, retired Albert Pujols on a grounder for the final out of the eighth and Zach Britton pitched a perfect ninth for his 18th save in 21 chances. Hunter, who was converted into a full-time reliever by the Orioles last season, lost his closer role to Britton in mid-May after consecutive blown saves. Since then, Hunter has yielded three runs and struck out 11 in 18 1-3 spanning 17 appearances — and has not allowed an earned run in a career-best 12 straight outings. Kevin Byard Jersey. Britton has allowed eight runs and fanned 27 in 29 1-3 innings over 29 appearances since taking over as closer. "So far, Zachs done a good job," Showalter said. "But who knows? We might need Tommy to go back there again. I dont know if anybodys smart enough to know exactly how things are going to turn out. But so far, so good." Angels left-hander Hector Santiago matched zeroes with Gonzalez through five innings, allowing just two hits before rookie Mike Morin took over in the sixth. "Early on I was just trying to battle a little fatigue," Santiago said. "I was kind of under the weather the last couple of days. I definitely felt the fatigue kind of like building up right there in that first two innings. Then I just had a high pitch count, so I had to maintain myself and control it." Morin (2-3) threw his second pitch into the dirt and to the backstop as his left knee appeared to buckle. Manager Mike Sciocsia went out with a trainer to check on him, and the right-hander made three warmup tosses before striking out Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz. But Chris Davis reached on an infield hit and came all the way around on Hardys double to right-centre. Schoop homered to left-centre two pitches later for his eighth homer — all on the road. Schoop was originally in the No. 9 spot in the order, but got bumped up to seventh after third baseman Manny Machado was scratched just before game time because of tightness in his lower back. "Ive never had something like this before. It just spazzed up on me," Machado said. "The trainers worked on it a little bit and I went back out there before the game, but it kept locking up on me. So I thought it was just better to sit it out and let someone else take my place and help the team win. Its still a little tight, but I got a shot and well see where we are tomorrow." Hardy drove in Baltimores final run in the eighth against Fernando Salas. NOTES: With the victory, the Orioles ended the Angels streak of 10 consecutive series won at home. RHP Chris Tillman puts his 6-0 road record on the line against Jered Weaver in Wednesday nights series finale. ... The Angels hadnt lost a series at the "Big A" since May 5-7, when the Yankees took two of three. ... The Orioles cleared a spot for Gonzalez on the 25-man roster by optioning RHP Preston Guilmet to Triple-A. 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