ina Maze is 25 points behind Shiffrin in third, and the Slovenian skie

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. Christian Yelich Brewers Jersey . Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon; a brief, poor outing that served to highlight two trends that have developed this season. Josh Hader Brewers Jersey . 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They were right in that they responded to coach Randy Carlyles goaltending switch to erase a two-goal deficit.ZAGREB, Croatia - American skier Mikaela Shiffrin continued her recent resurgence in slalom by convincingly winning her second straight World Cup race, leaving her rivals in awe four weeks before she defends her world title in Beaver Creek.In sunny conditions and cheered by 8,000 spectators, the Olympic champion posted the fastest time in both runs to finish in an aggregate 1 minute, 56.66 seconds and lead second-place Kathrin Zettel of Austria by 1.68 seconds, the biggest winning margin in the 10-year history of the event.For the first time in my career, I just feel like I am in complete control of myself, said Shiffrin, who sorted out some equipment issues by changing her boots and skis and tweaked her mindset during a 10-day training camp in Italy in December.I feel really comfortable on my feet right now after a lot of testing in Santa Caterina but also really great training, the American said. I have started off really great with my career but I am hoping to keep improving ... I feel like I am in a really great place right now.Nina Loeseth of Norway was 2.79 back in third for her maiden career podium finish and first for a Norwegian female skier since 2002, while the rest of the field trailed Shiffrin by more than three seconds.Shiffrin won the slalom World Cup the past two seasons but failed to reach a podium in the first three races this season until dominating in Kuehtai, Austria, last week, where she also won both runs.With every single run that I take I get more confident, the American skier said. My skiing is good right now, its kind of back on track and my equipment feels really good.It was the Americans 12th career World Cup win and 11th in slalom, matching a World Cup record set in 1980 by Frances Perrine Pelen for mosst slalom wins as a teenager.ddddddddddddts a crazy feeling to be the last racer on the hill in the second run and to be like, OK, its on me now, said Shiffrin, who also won the Snow Queen Trophy two years ago. There is some pressure there but its nice when I deal with it and still ski well. Thats one of the best feelings in the world.Shiffrin didnt try to merely defend her 0.80-second lead over Zettel from the opening run but went out attacking in her second as well.Mikaela was amazing, so super strong, said Zettel, adding she was really happy with coming runner-up to the American. Mikaela is from a different planet. It looks like nothing can go wrong, it looks so smooth and easy and shes obviously having a lot of fun.Frida Hansdotter of Sweden placed fourth to retain her lead in the discipline standings with 320 points, though Shiffrin has closed the gap to a single point. Tina Maze is 25 points behind Shiffrin in third, and the Slovenian skier stayed atop the overall standings after placing fifth in Sundays slalom.Erin Mielzynski of Guelph, Ont., was sixth and Marie-Michele Gagnon of Lac-Etchemin, Que., was seventh.Sarka Strachova, who was third after the opening run, straddled a gate and failed to finish, while Swedens Maria Pietilae-Holmner and Austrias Nicole Hosp, who both won slaloms this season, also skied out.Sara Hector of Sweden, who won a GS for her maiden victory last week, started in 61st position but placed ninth for her first top-10 finish in slalom.There is one more slalom before the world championships — in Flachau, Austria, on Jan. 13.A mens night slalom on the same course is scheduled for Tuesday, while the womens World Cup continues with speed races in Bad Kleinkirchheim, Austria, next weekend. ' ' '