It's an unprecedented move throughout all of professional sports but the Minnesota Timberwolves have changed their name in the middle of the season to become the Minnesota Direwolves on April 9th!
Okay, so it's a stunt in partnership with HBO and the release of the final season of Game of Thrones, but it's all true!
Here's the full release with all the details from the team...
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL –In celebration of the final season of Game of Thrones, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced today it will change the team’s external logo to the Minnesota Direwolves ondigital platforms, social media, and sell limited-edition Minnesota Direwolves merchandise at the team’s online storestarting April 9 in honor of the final season of Game of Thrones,which will premier on Sunday, April 14 on HBO. The Direwolf, a species of wolf from the popular HBO show known for its loyalty and ferocity, will take over as the namesake moniker of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Our fans love Game of Thrones, and just as important, our entire state has long celebrated being known as the Northand being home to wolves,” said Mike Grahl, Chief Marketing Officer at the Minnesota Timberwolves. “With our extreme climateand playerswho relish in it, we are thrilled the Minnesota Timberwolves provided a natural partnership to celebrate one of the most popular shows of this generation.”
“We’re excited to partner with the Minnesota Timberwolves and showcase their incredible act of devotion in becoming the Direwolves before the final season o fGame of Thrones,” said Alex Diamond, Director of Marketing at HBO. The #ForTheThrone campaign is a multiphase global marketing campaign that highlights what fans and brands around the world will do in celebration of the final season.
The Wolves will play its final home game of the 2018-19 season tonight against the Toronto Raptors, tip time scheduled for 7:00pm. As part of the Star Tribune Fan Appreciation celebration, fans can enjoy 50% off food and beverage at any 100 or 200 level concession stand by paying via the Wolves Wallet, the mobile pay function in the Timberwolves app. Tickets are available athttps://www.nba.com/timberwolves/tickets/.