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. Haloti Ngata Eagles Jersey . Fans in the Jets viewing region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 5:30pm ct and listeners can tune in to TSN Radio 1290 Winnipeg. 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One out away from finishing off an impressive shutout, they let a must-win game slip away.MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - New York Jets players grabbed a sideline beverage bucket as final seconds of the season ticked off, and their comeback victory earned coach Rex Ryan a good drenching.The win probably wont get Ryan another year with the Jets, however.The embattled coach and beleaguered quarterback Geno Smith led the Jets to a 37-24 victory over Miami on Sunday, but they still finished 4-12, their worst record since 2007. With the Jets sitting out the post-season for the fourth consecutive year, owner Woody Johnson is widely expected to fire Ryan, and perhaps general manager John Idzik.This is a great team — just we havent had a great record, Ryan said. But as far as how you build a team, its there.Hes unlikely to get a chance to finish the job, with change coming as soon as Monday.The Dolphins will also have a busy off-season, with an 8-8 record keeping them out of the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year. Here are things to know about how the two also-rans finished:WILL REX GET THE AX?: Ryan is 46-50 in six seasons but remains popular with his players, as his soaked shirt, sweater and pants showed.We love coach Ryan, Smith said. Id love to play for him my entire career.Ryan continually tried to deflect postgame questions about his future, saying Johnson will talk to him at the appropriate time. They met briefly after the game.I said, Hey, boss, Im going to give the whole team a game ball. Sorry. And thats exactly what we did. Hes good with it, Ryan said.QUIET WALLACE: Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has said Joe Philbin will be back for a fourth season in 2015, and the coach will have disharmony to address after benching $15 million receiver Mike Wallace for the entire second half.Wallace was disciplined after he argued with coaches at halftime. Following the game, he had teammate Brandon Gibson speak for him, which created a bizarre scene as they stood side by side at their lockers.Why was Gibson doing the talking?I just dont want my dog to say anything wrong, Gibson said. Differences in opinion led to Mike not playinng in the second half, so thats what were going to say about coaches.dddddddddddd... Things that were communicated probably were misunderstood.BREAKOUT GAME: Smith had his best game in a rocky season, throwing for a career-high 358 yards and three touchdowns.New York came in ranked last in the NFL in passing, but Smith went 20 of 25 and had a passer rating of 158.3 — the only perfect rating this year by a quarterback throwing at least seven passes, according to STATS.Even so, the game might have been Smiths final start for the Jets. Theyre expected to seek quarterback help in the draft or free agency.I have complete confidence in myself, Smith said, but consistency is the thing that Im searching for and Im getting better with.Eric Decker caught 10 passes from Smith for a career-high 221 yards, including a 74-yard touchdown, the longest play by the Jets this year.LONGEST DASH: Lamar Miller gave Miami a 10-point lead with a 97-yard touchdown run, the longest play from scrimmage in team history.Miller ran up the middle, broke into the clear and wasnt hit until he was crossing the goal line.I just tried to use my speed and try to make a big play for this team, he said. Its a blessing to break a long run to end the season with a long run. If we would have won, it would have been great.The touchdown was the longest run ever allowed by the Jets, and the longest play from scrimmage in the NFL this season.HED RATHER WIN: Ryan Tannehill became the first Miami player since Dan Marino in 1994 to throw for 4,000 yards. Tannehill also finished with 392 completions this season to break Marinos 1994 franchise record.But he endured seven sacks, and his career record dropped to 23-25.I hate losing, Tannehill said. I put in a lot of effort, a lot of time, a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Everyone in this locker room does as well. Any time you dont come out and finish the way you want to, it hurts.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve_Wine Wholesale MLB Orioles Jerseys Red Sox Jerseys From China Discount Yankees Jerseys Online Rays Jerseys For Sale Blue Jays Jerseys From China Wholesale MLB White Sox Jerseys Indians Jerseys For Sale Tigers Jerseys From China Wholesale MLB Astros Jerseys Cheap Baseball Angels Jerseys Athletics Jerseys From China Mariners Jerseys For Sale Cheap Baseball Rangers Jerseys Braves Jerseys For Sale Discount Marlins Jerseys Online Discount Mets Jerseys Online Phillies Jerseys From China Wholesale MLB Nationals Jerseys Cubs Jerseys From China Discount Reds Jerseys Online Brewers Jerseys From China Wholesale MLB Pirates Jerseys Wholesale MLB Cardinals Jerseys Diamondbacks Jerseys For Sale Rockies Jerseys For Sale Discount Dodgers Jerseys Online Discount Padres Jerseys Online Giants Jerseys For Sale ' ' '