Only NBA franchise selected as final nominee in inaugural Sports Business Awards

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns have been selected as a final nominee in the Professional Sports Team of the Year category for the inaugural Sports Business Awards presented by Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily.

“It’s an honor and also humbling to be considered by the leading publications in the sports industry for this first-ever award,” said Rick Welts, President and COO of the Phoenix Suns. “We have an incredibly dedicated group of employees committed to providing the finest in sports, entertainment and community leadership. Being recognized in this way is very meaningful to the entire organization.”

The Sports Business Awards recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the business of sports for 2007. Nominees for the Professional Sports Team of the Year are selected based on a number of criteria including; revenue generation and growth, market brand strength, attendance strength, accomplishments and innovation, and fan and client services. All major and minor league teams across all sports are considered.

“The Suns are considered one of sports’ model franchises – smart, innovative and successful,” said Abraham Madkour, Executive Editor of SportsBusiness Journal/SportsBusiness Daily. “The team has been a trendsetter and industry leader, has demonstrated true business savvy and clearly stood out among the franchises we evaluated for business and competitive success in 2007.”

Other nominees for Professional Sports Team of the Year in alphabetical order are the Boston Red Sox (MLB), Buffalo Sabres (NHL), Hendrick Motorsports (NASCAR) and Toronto FC (MLS).

In all, more than 400 entries across 11 categories were submitted to the editorial committee at the SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. Other categories include; Pro Sports League, Sports Agency, Sports Executive, Sports Facility, Athletic Director, Sports Media, Sports Sponsor, Sports Online, Sports Innovation/Technology, and Sports Event Marketing Firm.

Winners will be announced live at the award ceremony, which will be held Thursday, May 29 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City.

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