Future Brooklyn Nets arena gets vodka sponsor

Today Stolichnaya, a pioneer in the flavored vodka category, and Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, the sales and marketing arm of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, announced that Stolichnaya is embarking as a Founding Partner in a five-year alliance with the Barclays Center, the planned state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue, and with NETS Basketball. The opening of the Barclays Center in late spring/early summer of 2012 will mark the return of major professional sports to Brooklyn for the first time since 1957, and Stoli will become the official vodka partner of the Barclays Center.

“This partnership represents Stoli’s first long-term foray into professional sports and we look forward to an exciting and successful partnership with the Barclays Center and NETS Basketball,” said Andrey Skurikhin, Partner at SPI Group, the Stolichnaya brand owner. “Stoli is a pioneering brand in the spirits industry and celebrates the same spirit of innovation that characterizes the development of the Barclays Center and the revitalization of the NETS. We look forward to engaging with our consumers in this much anticipated, exciting new venue.”

“We are thrilled to become partners with the most innovative and historic brand in the spirits industry,” said Brett Yormark, president and CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “The Barclays Center continues to align with renowned companies which seek to build their brands in the heart of world commerce. Stoli has made a major commitment to the Barclays Center and we look forward to building its brand with a year-round marketing platform.”

As part of the agreement with the Barclays Center, Stoli will receive numerous entitlements, including category exclusive branding throughout the new arena and the branding of six bars.

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NBA fines Rudy Fernandez

Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trail Blazers has been fined $50,000 for public statements detrimental to the NBA, the league announced today.

The statements, which concerned a desire to be released by the Trail Blazers, were made by Fernandez’s agent, Gerard Darnes, on October 6. Fernandez was previously fined $25,000 on August 19 for statements concerning his desire to be traded or released by Portland.

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Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle faints at practice

Reuters reports:

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle fainted at a team practice Friday and was briefly hospitalized, the team said.

“Rick did faint at practice today and was taken to the hospital as a precaution,” Mavericks spokesman Scott Tomlin told Reuters.

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Heat waive Patrick Beverley and Da’Sean Butler

The Miami Heat announced today that they have waived guard Patrick Beverley and forward Da’Sean Butler.

Beverley appeared in six preseason games (two starts) averaging 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.00 steals in 23.0 minutes.

Butler did not appear in a game for the Heat as he recovers from left knee surgery.

The Heat roster now stands at 15.

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Hornets waive Curtis Jerrells

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have requested waivers on guard Curtis Jerrells.

Jerrells (6-1, 195) appeared in three games (one start) for the Hornets during the preseason averaging  2.0 points and 1.7 assists in 11.7 minutes of play.

The roster now stands at 15 players.

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NBA investigating Knicks draft workout-related conduct

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

The stain of the Isiah Thomas reign continues.

On the eve of the Knicks’ season opener, the NBA said it is investigating reported allegations team brass staged illegal workouts with draft prospects, including Wilson Chandler, across the past four years — a probe centering on East Coast scout Rodney Heard and senior VP Glen Grunwald. Both are Isiah hires who still work for the club.

If found guilty, the Knicks could face fines, suspensions — and at its harshest — loss of a future draft pick. It also could put the status of Heard and — more importantly — Grunwald into question. Team president Donnie Walsh admits he has looked to hire Chris Mullin as general manager but says he does not have a opening because of Grunwald’s spot.

If the NBA finds allegations true, it also could mean Thomas’ chances of rejoining the Knicks in a prominent role will be compromised. Some of the alleged violations also occurred during Walsh’s watch.

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Knicks waive Patrick Ewing, Jr

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that the team has waived forward Patrick Ewing, Jr.

Ewing, Jr., 6-8, 235-pounds, averaged 1.8 points and 6.0 minutes over four preseason games.

The roster stands at 15.

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Hornets sign D.J. Mbenga

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed free agent forward D.J. Mbenga.  Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not released.

The 7-0, 255 pound center played in 49 games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 2.1 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. Mbenga registered his first career double-double on Nov. 8, 2009 against the Hornets with 10 points and 12 rebounds. He played in three games during the 2010 playoffs, averaging 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds.

Mbenga holds career averages of 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 193 games (four starts). He has spent time playing with the Mavericks (2004-07), Warriors (2007-08) and the Lakers (2008-10), as well as being a member of the Belgian national team.

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St. Louis coach to miss 3 games with injured leg

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Majerus cuts leg during loss to Bowling Green

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UCLA's Honeycutt expects to return Wednesday

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UCLA's Honeycutt out Thursday, not long term

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Nebraska postpones N. Dakota game to Monday

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UCLA point guard Jones injures finger in loss

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Snowbound Fordham, Georgia Tech canel game

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Majerus skips Saint Louis game due to sickness

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Report: Seton Hall's Hazell felt bullet hit, still ran

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Report: Seton Hall's Hazell shot during robbery

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NCAA: No decision on Kanter before new year

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Shurna practices for Northwestern, might play

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Pearl: Only Vols committed to defense will play

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