According to The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, the league took a hard look at Smoothie King, the new sponsor of the New Orleans Pelicans’ arena, before any deal was completed. As part of the process, the company’s products were tested. Some were found to contain banned substances, including DHEA and androstenedione (the stuff Mark McGwire took 15 or so years ago).
MORE: Pelicans’ scary mascot undergoes ‘surgery’
From the Times-Picayune's report:
Rocky Gettys, the company's vice president of product development, told The Times-Picayune the substances were found in nutritional supplements the company sold.
UPDATE: Gettys also said, “Our menu of smoothies was not impacted at all.”
The naming rights deal was announced last week.
