KSTP-ABC's Russell Barnes reported the T'Wolves "will be launching a new logo this spring for the 2017-18 season." The new logo "will have lime green, navy blue and gray as part of the design." New jerseys also will be unveiled prior to next season (KSTP.com, 2/13). This will be the team's first "major rebranding" since '96. T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor last summer said that the team "would get new jerseys 'sooner than later,' but it was expected that the team would wait until the Target Center renovation was completed this year" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/14).
DOING DUE DILIGENCE: Magic CEO Alex Martins said that he will "follow standard team procedure" at the end of the season when he and the DeVos family, which owns the team, "assess the job performance" of embattled GM Rob Hennigan. In Orlando, Josh Robbins noted this season "started with high hopes," but the team is now 21-36, second to last in the Eastern Conference (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/12). The SENTINEL's Mike Bianchi wrote this comes after "five years -- five long, languishing, depressing, even regressing years -- of losing." Bianchi: "This is why Rob Hennigan must soon be replaced." His "rebuild of the rebuild has failed" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/12).
LOOK! UP IN THE SKY! In Charlotte, Katherine Peralta notes the Hornets are hoping Panthers QB Cam Newton will "help sell out" their March 18 game against the Wizards. The team is giving away his bobblehead to the "first 15,000 fans in attendance." The figurines are of Newton in his "signature Superman pose wearing a black Buzz City jersey." Hornets President & COO Fred Whitfield said that the giveaway is an "effort to drive attendance and keep fan momentum going as the team makes a push for the playoffs" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/14).
BEHIND THE CURTAIN: In Philadelphia, Sam Donnellon wrote 76ers fans "deserve honesty" from President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo amid speculation about a knee injury to F Joel Embiid, who has missed 13 of 14 games. Donnellon wrote to the former Raptors and Suns GM, "Stop acting as if you’re still in Phoenix. Or Toronto. ... It is a tad more intense when it comes to sports around here. Perhaps you’ve noticed by now." Leaders of Philadelphia sports teams are "expected to be honest and forthright" in a "timely manner." Donnellon: "That means coming out of your cave more often, maybe even developing a relationship or two with those who monitor your team daily" (PHILLY.com, 2/13).
