“It is a great honor for the Minnesota Wild to be selected as the winner of the 2004 PRISM Award,” said President and General Manager Doug Risebrough. “The recognition and honor bestowed upon our franchise by the University of Massachusetts, The Sports Business Daily, and our peers is something we are very proud of.”

The PRISM Awards (Professionalism, Results and Innovation in Sport Management), sponsored by The Sports Business Daily, are presented annually to franchises at both the major and minor league levels that demonstrates excellence in five categories of sport franchise management: strategic mission, innovative marketing, community relations, customer service and employee relations. In addition, a special emphasis is placed on the franchises’ positive impact on local customers and the community. Judges in the selection of winners include the University of Massachusetts Sports Management Program faculty and a “blue-ribbon” panel of former sports franchise executives.

“Both the Wild and Dragons distinguished themselves in each of the categories that define the PRISM ideals,” said PRISM Program Director Steve McKelvey, an assistant professor at UMass. “Both are a testament to the level of management expertise and professionalism that every sport franchise should aspire to.”

The Dayton Dragons were named the minor league recipient of the 2004 PRISM Award. Past PRISM Award winners in the major league category are: Houston Texans (2002-03), Washington Capitals (2001) and Orlando Magic (2000). Past winners in the minor league category are: Sacramento RiverCats (2001) and Chicago Wolves (2000). For more information on the PRISM Awards or a 2005 application form, click here.

The Sports Business Daily, a Street & Smith's Sports Group publication, is the recognized leader in sports industry news and the first daily trade publication dedicated to the business of sports. The Sports Business Daily is considered a "must-read" by sports executives for its real-time coverage of industry topics, including sponsorships, advertising, marketing, facility development and financing, sports media and league and franchise issues. Clients include the leading sports, entertainment, financial and media executives throughout the U.S. and Canada.