New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson and Smoothie King owner Wan Kim announced today a multi-year agreement reached between the Pelicans and Smoothie King to name the New Orleans Arena the “Smoothie King Center.”
“Smoothie King and the NBA are a perfect fit,” said Wan Kim, CEO of Smoothie King which created the original nutritional smoothie in 1973. “Both organizations are global brands that continue to grow in status and stature."
New Orleans Pelicans and Saints Owner/Chairman of the Board Tom Benson said, “Introducing our home court as the Smoothie King Center is one of the goals we set when we purchased the team and we’re excited to partner with a locally-incepted company in Smoothie King."
The naming rights agreement between the Pelicans, the State of Louisiana and Smoothie King is for 10 years. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. But the total value of the deal is believed to be estimated around $40 million.
A new Smoothie King Center logo will adorn the roof of the building and the new Smoothie King Center name and logo will appear on the facility’s exterior façade, on the Pelicans home basketball court, the team’s scoreboard and in numerous locations throughout the facility.