NEW YORK – Mike Levy, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Canton Charge, was named the 2016 NBA Development League Team Executive of the Year yesterday.  NBA D-League President Malcolm Turner made the announcement at the league’s Sales & Marketing Meetings in Chicago.  The NBA Development League Team Executive of the Year is determined by peer voting and teams are not allowed to vote for themselves.

Under Levy’s leadership, the Charge – the affiliate of the NBA Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers – has become integrated into the Cavaliers’ Marketing, Team Sponsorship and Tickets Sales groups, expanding the team’s business success.  This past season, the Charge saw individual tickets sold at the Canton Memorial Civic Center increase 25 percent over the 2014-15 season, with group tickets sold increasing nearly 15 percent over the previous year.  The business community recognized the value of the franchise as the Charge increased corporate sponsorship by 50 percent and secured its largest partnership in team history with Secure Data 365, which became a season presenting sponsor of the team this past season.  Since Levy joined the team in August 2014, corporate sponsorships have increased 290 percent.

Since the team came to Canton in 2011, the Charge has added to the great sports tradition of Ohio sports, making the playoffs each of the last five seasons.  After posting a 31-19 record to finish second in the Central Division this year, the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the Eastern Division champion Maine Red Claws in the conference semifinals, 2-0.  Led by All-NBA Development League Second Team selection Nick Minnerath, the Charge also featured NBA D-League Rookie of the Year Quinn Cook, who earned All-Rookie Team and All-NBA D-League Third Team honors.

The Charge also proved their value to the NBA by the contributions of GATORADE Call-ups Jorge Gutierrez and John Holland, who were members of the Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics, respectively, at the end of the 2015-16 regular season and 2016 postseason.

Previous winners of the Team Executive of the Year award include Tim Salier (Austin Spurs, 2015), Jeff Potter (Fort Wayne Mad Ants, 2014), Bill Boyce (Texas Legends, 2013), David Higdon (Bakersfield Jam, 2012), Bert Garcia (Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 2011) and Jon Jennings (Maine Red Claws, 2010).

About the NBA Development League

The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 39 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2015-16 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on nbadleague.com.