Rockets' Tad Brown Bullish On Organizational Health, Ticket Sales

After Chris Paul's first season, the Rockets set a franchise record for season-ticket renewals of 95%NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

The Rockets’ home opener tonight against the Pelicans is "sold out," and the team expects that to "be the norm this season, with hopes to sell out the entire season," according to Jonathan Feigen of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. On the heels of having the best regular-season record in the NBA last season, Rockets CEO Tad Brown said, “We’re the healthiest we’ve ever been organizationally.” Feigen notes the Rockets "set a franchise record for season-ticket renewals" of 95% since last season. NBA franchises typically consider 85% renewals and "more than 10,000 full season tickets sold to be 'healthy.'" Rockets CRO Gretchen Sheirr noted renewals last year were at 93% (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/17).

READY FOR TAKEOFF: Feigen noted the Rockets have signed a multiyear deal with Rokit Phones, which will place its "logo on their jerseys." Rokit is a "challenger cell phone startup" that launched in August as a subsidiary of Rok Brands. In addition to the jersey patch, the telecom brand also will partner with the team on "various community outreach efforts throughout the season." The deal also will include "select Rok Drinks brands," as three lounges at Toyota Center will be "re-branded as Bogart's Lounge, ABK Beer Garden and Bandero Tequila Terrace" (CHRON.com, 10/16). Excel Sports Management led the sales process in securing the Rockets deal, as well as the Bulls' recent partnership with Zenni Optical (THE DAILY).

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