Americans’ CMO/Sr. VP of Business, Brian Sandy Steps Down

KENNEWICK, WA – Tri-City Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory announced today that Brian Sandy, the team’s Chief Marketing Officer and Sr. Vice President of Business Operations will resign his position with the club after accepting the position of Senior Director of Premium Seating Sales and Service with the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers.  With the impending start of the NBA season, Sandy will start his new position on Thursday, December 15.

One of Top Shelf Entertainment’s first hires after taking ownership of the Americans in June of 2005, Sandy has helped turn around the franchise off the ice.  Averaging over 4,700 fans per game last year, the team has posted an increase in attendance each of Sandy’s six and a half seasons in Tri-City and currently sits at a 19-year franchise high.  Additionally, season ticket sales topped the 2,600 mark for the first time since the club was relocated to the Mid-Columbia.  And, within the community, Sandy and the club have helped raise over $1.5 million dollars for local charities through integrated fundraising nights and promotions.

“It has been a pleasure working with Brian and we appreciate all of his contributions to our franchise.  Since joining our organization in 2005, Brian has done an exceptional job coordinating our sales staff, implementing our marketing strategies and promoting our club throughout the Columbia Basin,” Tory expressed.  “This is a great opportunity for Brian to take a positive step in his professional career and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

“It has been my sincere pleasure to serve our team, our stakeholders and our community,” said Sandy.  “When the current ownership group acquired the Americans six and a half years ago, our shared vision was to create a world-class organization, both on and off the ice, and I’m proud to have been a part of attaining that goal.  My time with Tri-City has been the highlight of my career to date … I’ll always be an Americans fan.”

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This weekend, the Americans will wrap-up the first half of the regular season with a home-and-home series with the Seattle Thunderbirds.  The doubleheader kicks off on Friday, December 16 at the Toyota Center.  Game time is 7:05 p.m.  Tri-City and Seattle are currently knotted at 1 in the 10-game season series, with the Americans taking the most recent meeting, a 4-2 win on December 2.  The Americans are looking to win their eighth straight home game while Seattle comes in having lost three of their last four.  Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, including online at ticketmaster.com, the Toyota Center box office, or all Fred Meyer outlets. The game will also be broadcast live on NewsTalk 870 AM, starting with the Sterling Savings Bank Warm-up Show at 6:45 p.m.