Fully-Integrated Social Media Hubs First of Their Kind in NBA or WNBA

Minneapolis/St. Paul Continuing their trend as social media pioneers in the Twin Cities, the @MNTimberwolves and @MinnesotaLynx today announced the development of the teams' official social media hubs, #WolvesNation and #LynxNation, the first of their kind in the NBA or WNBA. The fully integrated social media platforms mark the latest milestone of the organization's digital efforts centered on connecting and engaging the most passionate and rabid @MNTimberwolves and @MinnesotaLynx fans.

#WolvesNation and #LynxNation consolidates the buzz around each team -- all #TWolves and #LosLynx tweets, mentions, posts and likes -- into one fully integrated, user-friendly platform while allowing users to interact with each other and earn rewards for simply being a fan. Phase one of the development will commence with the launch of #LynxNation on Sunday, May 20 when the #LosLynx open their WNBA title defense vs. the Phoenix Mercury. The new #WolvesNation site will go live in mid-June, just before the 2012 NBA Draft. In the meantime, fans will be able to sign in to #WolvesNation via their Twitter or Facebook profiles, or simply create an additional login on the homepage.

"Today's announcement of the development of our new social media hubs, Wolves Nation and Lynx Nation, signal another step in our quest to be the most fan-centric franchise in the Twin Cities, and in the NBA and WNBA," said Ted Johnson, Timberwolves and Lynx Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications and Chief Marketing Officer. "Home for all Wolves and Lynx social media, Wolves Nation and Lynx Nation will serve as the game within the game, a 24/7 user-friendly conversation tool designed to reward participants for simply being a fan. We're excited to see where this goes and hope our fans enjoy engaging with each other and earning prizes for discussing the Wolves and Lynx."

#WolvesNation and #LynxNation followers can take part in several fun, interactive and simple activities to earn points, bragging rights or badges -- all designed to reward fans for engaging in #TWolves and #LosLynx conversation. Tweet, post or promote the #TWolves and #LosLynx on any digital platform and you've earned yourself points. Daily contests and game -- both in-arena and broadcast -- activities will also serve as opportunities to elevate your status as the biggest #TWolves and #LosLynx fan. Users can redeem points for prizes, discounts on #TWolves and #LosLynx tickets, merchandise, coupons and other offers exclusive to #WolvesNation and #LynxNation members.

Fans can connect to #WolvesNation and #LynxNation via their Twitter or Facebook profiles, or simply create an additional login on the homepage. #WolvesNation and #LynxNation is compatible with all mobile devices, as well as all tablets, laptops and desktops.

Today's announcement comes on the heels of remarkable seasons of social media growth for both the #TWolves and #LosLynx. From late December, 2011 to May 1, 2012, #TWolves' Twitter followers increased 115%, making the @MNTimberwolves handle the fastest-growing official team account in the NBA. Combining Facebook "likes" and Twitter followers, the #TWolves ranked third overall among other NBA teams in social media growth during the 2011-12 regular season. The #LosLynx saw the number of followers on their official team account, @minnesotalynx, increase 100% during the 2011 season, while over 13,000 users "liked" the team's official Facebook page.

About Accelerated Innovations

#WolvesNation and #LynxNation are powered by the Fan Connection Network (@FanConnect) -- a platform designed by St Paul, Minnesota-based Accelerated Innovations. Fan Connection Network is a proprietary, but customizable enterprise level software platform that incorporates cutting edge user interface design techniques to drive fan engagement. The innovative program combines first class UI design with highly flexible and scalable software to create specialized fan engagement programs.

Contact information:

Mike Cristaldi, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-8405, cristaldi@timberwolves.com

Aaron Seehusen, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-1602, seehusen@timberwolves.com

Dan Bell, Minnesota Timberwolves, (612) 673-1603, bell@timberwolves.com

www.timberwolves.com