Lynx Sign Marquee Jersey Sponsorship With Mayo Clinic
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) — The Minnesota Lynx are cashing in on their recent run of success.
The Lynx announced an expanded partnership with the Mayo Clinic on Monday that includes a new jersey that features the Mayo Clinic name across the front rather than the team's name. The Lynx and NBA's Timberwolves are also partnering with the health care provider on a new practice facility just across the street from their arena.
The Lynx, who have won two of the past three WNBA championships, will become the sixth team in the league to feature a corporate sponsor's name as the primary logo on the jersey.
"This is the biggest partnership of this sort that we have ever had," WNBA President Laurel Richie said. "So I'm very grateful to be a part of this partnership."
She said the two groups are perfectly suited for one another.
"These are two organizations that completely value learning, study and excelling," Richie said.
Lynx players Maya Moore and Monica Wright attended a news conference to announce the new partnership and also modeled the new jerseys, which now have a small Lynx logo on the left shoulder. The Boost Mobile logo that is under the numbers on every WNBA jersey remains on the new Lynx uniform.
"If there is going to be anything other than Lynx on my chest, I want it to be Mayo Clinic," Moore said.
Wright did some research into the Mayo Clinic's impact on health care around the world and said she was "extremely honored and humbled" to play with the logo on her jersey.
"From a players' standpoint, what's on my jersey means a lot to me and what I represent every time I walk out on that court," Wright said.
Indiana, Phoenix, Washington, San Antonio and Tulsa also feature what the league calls marquee jersey sponsorships.
"This partnership allows us to reach corners of the world that we otherwise would not be able to reach," said Dr. John T. Wald, medical director for marketing and public affairs at Mayo Clinic.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said it will allow the team to practice in a state-of-the-art facility at Mayo Square.
"It will be like none other in the league, and they deserve that -- they are champions," Reeve said.
The 2014 Lynx season tips off on May 16 at Washington.
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