Albuquerque, N.M., February 4, 2008 – The Albuquerque Thunderbirds today announced their partnership with Albuquerque’s Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant. As part of the partnership, the Thunderbirds coaches and players will make an appearance at Sweet Tomatoes on San Mateo, Wednesday, February 6th.

Thunderbirds players and coaches will be on site from 5 – 7pm, starting with an autograph that session will be held for the public from 5 – 5:30 pm. Following the autograph session, the players will enjoy Sweet Tomatoes wonderful selection of fresh soups and salads.

“It’s exciting to be serving NBA players fresh, healthy meals.” Sweet Tomatoes General Manager Ilene Valtierra said. “Our hope is that this event will become an annual event for the Thunderbirds at Sweet Tomatoes.”

Sweet Tomatoes specializes in soups and salads featuring all natural ingredients. With 100 company-owned restaurants in 15 states, 265 million guests since 1978. Sweet Tomatoes specializes in soups and salads featuring all natural ingredients.

The menu is built around freshly made, great-tasting recipes showcased on a 55-foot salad bar full of fresh, seasonal vegetables and tossed salads prepared exhibition-style every 20 minutes. The unlimited selection also features made from-scratch soups, hot pastas, handcrafted muffins, Focaccia, breads, and desserts that provide guests with a wide variety of both wholesome foods and delicious indulgences.

Albuquerque is home to two Sweet Tomato locations; 4901 San Mateo Blvd. NE and on the west side at 10126 Coors Blvd. NW.

Thunderbirds 2007–08 single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com, any Ticketmaster location or at the Thunderbirds front office at 111 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 240, Albuquerque, NM 87102. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at (505) 265-DUNK.

The Thunderbirds stay focused on the community by participating in community events such as the Read to Achieve Program as well as D-League Cares. In the past two seasons the Thunderbirds have worked over 3,000 hours in the community, staying dedicated to Albuquerque and New Mexico.

The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League’s goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 14 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 16 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives like the live web-streaming of all games available free to fans at d-league.com. The League also provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.

Individually, the Thunderbirds have had two player call-ups, two front office call-ups, two training staff call-ups and three call-ups from the Storm Chasers Dance and Cheer squad.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League offers NBA-quality basketball and fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com