PORTLAND – Before the calender even flipped to July this morning, the Maine Red Claws had renewed 77 percent of their season tickets from their inaugural season, secured 90 new ones and enlisted new team sponsors to prepare for a second year in the NBA Development League.

Perhaps that’s why the franchise earned five league awards this week, including the first D-League team executive of the year award, given to President and General Manager Jon Jennings.

“We don’t call it the offseason,” said Jennings. “We call it the season without games.

“We’re working as hard now, if not harder.”

The Red Claws earned team awards for selling more than 1,000 full season tickets, earning in excess of $500,000 in sponsorship revenue, holding 50-plus sponsorship accounts and making more than 75 community appearances.

The Red Claws snagged four of the league’s six awards and were ineligible for the remaining two: ticket renewals and a category that involved building capacity.

“We’re very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in our first year,” said Jennings. “With that said, we’re always looking for ways to improve the experience of our fans and generally keep moving everything forward.

“One of our hallmarks is we’re never satisfied with where we are This is really a reflection on all of us, being focused on trying to be the best.”

The Red Claws also learned Wednesday that guard Russell Robinson and center Kurt Looby will play for a team in the summer D-League.

They will play a five-game schedule at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. The team’s first game is scheduled for July 12.

Forward Paul Davis will be playing for Orlando in summer leagues, Maurice Ager will be playing with New Orleans and Marcus Landry will be playing with Indiana.

 

Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:

jmenendez@pressherald.com