Wolves Tip Off 20th Season with Ceremony

The Minnesota Timberwolves today officially tipped off the team's 20th season of NBA basketball in the Twin Cities. For their historic 20th Season, the Wolves have introduced a 20th Season logo, a commemorative uniform patch and monthly 20th Season Tribute Games for 2008-09. The Wolves also announced that Pepsi would be the Timberwolves' 20th Season presenting sponsor.

The tipoff to the 20th season took place during a ceremonial "first tip" today at Target Center. Randy Breuer, Timberwolves center from the inaugural 1989-90 season, took part in the jump ball with Wolves rookie forward Kevin Love. More than 100 of the Timberwolves' 500 20-year season ticket holders were in attendance to witness the event.

"The Timberwolves are very excited to enter such a great partnership with Pepsi for our 20th season," said Timberwolves President Chris Wright. "Twenty seasons is a tremendous milestone for our organization. We've had so many great memories throughout the years. We look forward to celebrating our history with our fans as we kick off our next 20 seasons."

Elements of the Timberwolves partnership with Pepsi include a 20th Season integrated logo, exclusive sponsorship of Timberwolves 20th Season Tribute Games, LED screen exposure outside of Target Center, in-arena branding, retail promotions, exposure in television and radio broadcasts, and website exposure.

Throughout the 2008-09 season, the Timberwolves will dedicate six home games presented by Pepsi as a tribute to 20 seasons of Timberwolves basketball. The 20th Season Tribute Games will include activities that commemorate Timberwolves history, ceremonies, and honored guests from past Wolves seasons. Twentieth Season Tribute Games presented by Pepsi are scheduled as follows: Friday, Nov. 21 vs. Boston Celtics; Friday, Dec. 12 vs. San Antonio Spurs; Friday, Jan. 23 vs. New Orleans Hornets; Sunday, Feb. 22 vs. L.A. Lakers; Sunday, March 22 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder; and Wednesday, April 15 vs. Sacramento Kings.

"As a long-time partner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Pepsi is proud to present the Timberwolves' 20th Season," said Pepsi Director of Retail Sales Mike Hajlo. "This extensive season-long campaign will be a truly unique marketing program featuring co-branded retail promotions, 20th Season Celebration Games and special 20th Season events."

To commemorate the 20th season, the Wolves and Pepsi today unveiled an integrated 20th season logo, which will appear throughout 2008-09 in-arena, on Timberwolves television broadcasts, on the timberwolves.com, and on Timberwolves merchandise. The team also unveiled commemorative 20th season uniform patches, which will be displayed on players' jerseys during the season. The Wolves introduced a rendering of a Season Ticket Holder Hall of Fame, which will serve to honor the most dedicated long-time Timberwolves season ticket holders. The Season Ticket Holder Hall of Fame will be located in the internal Target Center lobby. Through the Timberwolves partnership with TOPPS trading cards, the team also announced that this year's season tickets will take on the appearance of basketball cards, each displaying a former Timberwolves player.

Beginning on Oct. 10, the Timberwolves will launch 20 days of 20 events in celebration of the team's 20th season. The events are an effort on behalf of Timberwolves players, coaches and staff to give back to the Twin Cities community and celebrate the upcoming 20th season. A Timberwolves all-staff volunteer day at The City, Inc. School in North Minneapolis will kick off the series of events. The Timberwolves FastBreak Foundation and 100-plus members of the Timberwolves staff will complete a $25,000 renovation of the Reading and Learning Center at the school. The FastBreak Foundation is also completing a $10,000 basketball court renovation in the Highwood Neighborhood in St. Paul. Other events include: the annual Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce luncheon hosted by the Timberwolves, appearances in community parades, and appearances at high school football games in October.

The Timberwolves 2008-09 Media Day is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 29 in the team's practice facility at Target Center. Training camp starts on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Taylor Center on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato.