NEW YORK – The recipients of the NBA Team Sales & Marketing 2019 Awards were announced at the league’s annual sales and marketing meetings in Miami.  All 30 teams were invited to submit a nomination in each category for awards recognizing leaders and innovators across key areas with a committee of league and team experts choosing the winners.

The Atlanta Hawks received the NBA Inclusion Leadership Award, the Sacramento Kings earned the NBA Inclusion Innovation Award, and the LA Clippers were honored with the NBA Team Innovation Award.

In addition, Garrick Amos, Vice President of Season Ticket Memberships and Assistant General Manager for the Miami Heat and AmericanAirlines Arena, was the recipient of the Pete Winemiller Guest Experience Innovation Award and Junior Moyo, Manager of Marketing Partnerships for the Philadelphia 76ers, was recognized with the Values of the Game Award.

The NBA also recognized organizations for team business performance in 10 categories across Ticket Sales and Member Retention, Sponsorship, Fan Experience and Digital Innovation. Twenty-one teams received awards for team business performance with the Golden State Warriors earning the most awards with five, followed closely by the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors, who each garnered four awards.

“This year’s winners embody the NBA’s four core values of innovation, teamwork, integrity and respect,” said Amy Brooks, NBA President, Team Marketing & Business Operations and Chief Innovation Officer. “Through their leadership, creativity and unique programming, these teams have made an incredible impact on local communities and influenced the game and our fans in new ways.”

NBA Inclusion Leadership Award: Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks received the NBA Inclusion Leadership Award, which recognizes a team’s commitment to inclusion as a key business strategy. Atlanta was the first team to hire a chief diversity officer and the first to establish an inclusion council strengthening its ties throughout the area.  The team also created MOSAIC (Model of Shaping Atlanta through Inclusive Conversations), which brings together more than 300 influential Atlanta residents annually to discuss the role that sports leaders play in diversity.

NBA Inclusion Innovation Award: Sacramento Kings

The Kings earned the NBA Inclusion Innovation Award, recognizing a specific program that advances inclusive practices. After the tragic killing of an unarmed African-American man Stephon Clark by police in March of 2018, the Kings made a public commitment to work with the community to prevent future tragedies.

Working with the Build.Black. Coalition, a group of local leaders who support transformational change for African-American communities, the Kings created several programs including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) themed workshops focusing on employment opportunities.

NBA Team Innovation Award: LA Clippers

The Clippers were honored with the NBA Team Innovation Award, which recognizes a team that is shaping a culture of innovation.  This season, the team launched Clippers CourtVision, a digital experience available to Fox Sports Prime Ticket subscribers that puts fans in control of how they view Clippers’ games.  Envisioned by Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer, Clippers CourtVision uses innovative technology by Second Spectrum to let fans customize their game viewing experience.

Pete Winemiller Guest Experience Innovation Award: Garrick Amos, Miami Heat 

Garrick Amos, Vice President of Season Ticket Memberships and Assistant General Manager for the Heat and AmericanAirlines Arena, received the Pete Winemiller Guest Experience Innovation Award.

Inspired by the late Pete Winemiller, Senior Vice President of Guest Relations for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the award honors an individual who has created an innovative service experience for fans. Through Amos’ leadership, the Heat has achieved more than 85 percent season ticket retention.  He has also led the team’s relationship with the Disney Institute to transform American AirlinesArena through the league’s ELEVATE program.

Values of the Game: Junior Moyo, Philadelphia 76ers

Junior Moyo, Manager of Marketing Partnerships for the Philadelphia 76ers, was presented with the Values of the Game Award, which recognizes an individual at an NBA team who exemplifies the values of the league in their community.

A native of Zimbabwe, Moyo immigrated to the United States when he was five years old. Overcoming personal hardship and struggle, he’s been successful in pursuing his passion of a career in sports.