The Warriors organization “revealed the logo and name for its D-League franchise, which will be moving from North Dakota to become the Santa Cruz Warriors,” and Assistant GM Kirk Lacob yesterday “got to tell the Santa Cruz community that it is one giant leap closer to housing a professional sports team," according to Rusty Simmons of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The team also “announced the biggest singular sponsorship in the D-League's 13-year history, a naming-rights deal with Kaiser Permanente for a 3,200-seat facility that is expected to be built on Front Street in Santa Cruz.” Since the Warriors' ownership group purchased the North Dakota franchise last June, “it was clear that the team might be moved closer to the Bay Area.” Warriors VP/New Franchise Development Jim Weyermann “envisions a day in which players can practice with the big club at 10 a.m. in the Bay Area, then drive 90 minutes and play in a D-League game that night in Santa Cruz.” Lacob said, "There's going to be a whole new synergy that will help in player, coach and business development. The D-League team is now officially part of the Warriors' family" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/13).
WELCOME HOME: In Santa Cruz, Julie Jag notes Warriors Exec BOD member Jerry West yesterday spoke at a local Chamber of Commerce event “as part of what was deemed the official kickoff party for the Santa Cruz Warriors.” Last month, the Santa Cruz City Council “unanimously approved a $3.5 million loan for the team to build a temporary arena for its D-League team on Front Street, at the base of Beach Hill.” The facility, "can be rented for recreational purposes and concerts when not in use by the team.” An estimated 250 fans “have already bought season tickets” (SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL, 6/13). Also in Santa Cruz, Jim Seimas notes Lacob revealed the D-League Warriors' logo, “a large, blue ‘W' with trident-looking endpoints emblazoned over a yellow circle.” Underneath the circle, in capital block letters: "SANTA CRUZ WARRIORS," the team's name “bending to hugging the lower half of the circle.” Weyermann said that the team “already secured 100 reservations for priority seating -- without advertising.” Meanwhile, Kaiser Permanente California Senior VP/Sales & Account Management Peter Andrade said of the naming-rights deal, "It makes sense, since we already have a deal with the Warriors.” The deal “is tied to the current contract Kaiser has with the Warriors.” Weyermann said that “two years remain on that deal, but there's an option for a five-year renewal period” (SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL, 6/13).
