Sonosite Expands Its NBA D-League Partnership to Present the fifth NBA D-League All-Star Game which will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Feb. 19 and air live on NBA TV
BOTHELL, WA – February 3, 2010 – The NBA Development League (NBA D-League) and Sonosite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO), today announced that the world leader and specialist in bedside and point-of-care ultrasound technology will become the presenting partner of the 2011 NBA D-League All-Star Game.
The fifth NBA D-League All-Star Game presented by Sonosite will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 19, broadcast live on NBA TV at 2:00 p.m. PST. As the presenting partner of the 2011 NBA D-League All-Star Game, Sonosite will have prominent exposure throughout Center Court at the NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas. In addition, Sonosite will have portable ultrasound devices and trained staff available on the sidelines to treat players. Sonosite's President and CEO, Kevin Goodwin, will also present the MVP Award to the game's most valuable player during a postgame ceremony.
"The All-Star game is one of the most exciting games of the season and we look forward to arming team physicians and trainers with the power of courtside visualization," said Kevin M. Goodwin, Sonosite's President and CEO. "Weighing less than ten pounds, our ultrasound systems provide team trainers and physicians with the unique ability to evaluate a player's injury at the point-of-care. Not only do players have the opportunity to get back in the game faster, but visualization of the anatomy offers physicians the reassurance that they accurately assessed and treated the injury. We congratulate the NBA D-League in providing the highest level of care to their players."
"With 20 percent of NBA players on end-of-season rosters last year boasting NBA D-League experience, our All-Star Game offers fans unique access to players who are poised to make it to the next level," said NBA D-League President Dan Reed. "Our partnership with Sonosite provides our team doctors and athletic trainers the option to utilize its world-class technology, and we are excited to have them become the presenting partner of our annual All-Star Game."
Sonosite joined the NBA D-League in October 2010 as part of a comprehensive multiyear marketing partnership, which makes them the preferred provider of ultrasound products to the NBA and the NBA D-League. Through this relationship, the company has been working with the NBA and NBA D-League's team physicians and athletic trainers to educate them about Sonosite's unique diagnostic ultrasound tools that are highly portable and can assist in efficiently diagnosing, treating, and monitoring the rehabilitation of professional athletes.
About Sonosite
Sonosite, Inc. (www.sonosite.com) is the innovator and world leader in bedside and point-of-care ultrasound and an industry leader in ultra high-frequency micro-ultrasound technology and impedance cardiography equipment. Headquartered near Seattle, the company is represented by ten subsidiaries and a global distribution network in over 100 countries. Sonosite's small, lightweight systems are expanding the use of ultrasound across the clinical spectrum by cost-effectively bringing high-performance ultrasound to the point of patient care.
About NBA D-League
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA's official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the 2010-11 season, the league will feature 16 teams – including the debut of the Texas Legends. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league's connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the league's 10th season, fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.
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Contacts:
Amanda Thorn, NBA, (212) 407-8477, athorn@nba.com Lisa Fritzky, Sonosite, (425) 951-1375, lisa.fritzky@sonosite.com
