The Lakers will temporarily re-brand as "Los Lakers" for three games in March. As part of the NBA's seventh-annual "Noche Latina" (Latin Night) program, the Lakers wore Los Lakers uniforms on Sunday at Staples Center, hosting the Atlanta Hawks.
"The NBA’s inclusion of the Lakers in its month-long slate of Noche Latina games is the perfect opportunity for our organization to recognize its tremendous Hispanic fan base,” said Lakers senior vice president and chief marketing officer Tim Harris in a prepared release.
The team will also play as Los Lakers on March 10 against the Chicago Bulls and March 17 while hosting the Sacramento Kings.
“From broadcasting games on the radio in Spanish for nearly two decades to creating a team-dedicated Spanish-language television network in Time Warner Deportes, the Lakers are committed to giving Hispanic fans unprecedented access," Harris said. "Noche Latina is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Angelenos and fans around the world of Hispanic heritage for their passionate and unwavering support.”
Other teams around the league will participate on Noche Latina nights including the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs.
Each will be represented by their Spanish-language nicknames: Los Bulls, El Heat, Nueva York, El Magic, Los Suns and Los Spurs.
-Eric Pincus
