NBA G League Announces 2024-25 Team Business Awards

NEW YORK, July 1, 2025 – The NBA G League announced the 2024-25 Team Business Awards today. Grand Rapids Gold President Steve Jbara received the Team Executive of the Year Award for the second consecutive season, while the Texas Legends were selected as the Franchise of the Year. The Gold also won the Promotion of the Year Award.  Additionally, the Cleveland Charge received the President's Choice Award. NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim presented the awards during the league’s annual Sales & Marketing Meetings.

A selection committee composed of league executives determined the winner of the Franchise of the Year Award, evaluating all 31 teams on the league’s core pillars: Compete with Intensity, Lead with Integrity and Inspire Play. The Team Executive of the Year Award was selected by a vote of the league’s team presidents.

The Charge become the fourth NBA G League team to earn the President’s Choice Award, which is chosen by Abdur-Rahim. Established prior to the 2021-22 NBA G League season, the honor recognizes the team that embodies and demonstrates excellence in business performance across key areas of focus. In addition to those honors, the Long Island Nets earned the Partnership of the Year Award while the Santa Cruz Warriors received Team Retailer of the Year.

See below for the full list of 2024-25 Team Business Awards honorees:

NBA G League Executive of the Year: Steve Jbara, Grand Rapids Gold
NBA G League Franchise of the Year: Texas Legends
NBA G League President’s Choice: Cleveland Charge
NBA G League Team Retailer of the Year: Santa Cruz Warriors
NBA G League Promotion of the Year: Grand Rapids Gold “Elf Night”
NBA G League Partnership of the Year: Long Island Nets x Royal Bank of Canada

NBA G League Team Executive of the Year: Steve Jbara, President, Grand Rapids Gold

Grand Rapids Gold Owner and President Steve Jbara was named the 2024-25 Executive of the Year, marking the second consecutive season he has received this award. Jbara is now the first executive in NBA G League history to earn the award in back-to-back years.

Voted on by fellow team presidents across the league, the Executive of the Year Award recognizes outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact on the business side of the franchise.

Under Jbara’s leadership, the Gold have continued to raise the bar for excellence in the G League. From record-setting ticket sales and nationally recognized marketing campaigns, the Gold continue to grow both their fanbase and their impact in the NBA G League.

“This award is a tremendous honor, and I’m humbled to be recognized again among such an accomplished group of executives,” said Jbara. “But more than anything, this is a reflection of the incredible team I get to work alongside every day in Grand Rapids. Our front office, game day staff, partners, and fans are the reason we’re able to do what we do. We’ve worked tirelessly to create something special here, and I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and where we’re headed. I’m also incredibly thankful for our partnership with the Denver Nuggets and the continued support from the Grand Rapids community.”

NBA G League Franchise of the Year: Texas Legends

The NBA G League announced the Texas Legends as the 2024-25 Franchise of the Year, recognizing the organization’s outstanding performance both on and off the court. This marks the Legends’ second time receiving the league’s top honor, having first earned the award in 2019.

“We’re incredibly proud to bring this award back to Frisco,” said Texas Legends President Malcolm Farmer. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and creativity of our front office, the dedication of our fans, and the deep connection we’ve built with the community we serve.”

The Legends set new benchmarks across nearly every category this season, leading the G League in average tickets sold per game, average full season ticket plans, and average group ticket sales. They also ranked top three in both sponsorship revenue and overall group ticket volume, while selling out all 24 home games at Comerica Center.

Inside the arena, the Legends’ game presentation continued to raise the bar, delivering one of the most engaging in-arena experiences in sports. New interactive elements like the SuckerPunch Pickle Official Review, the Ice Bucket Challenge, and the Kia Flying Car captivated sellout crowds while reinforcing the team’s reputation for creativity and entertainment.

In partnership with the City of Frisco and Dallas Stars, the Legends introduced a newly renovated game-day experience at Comerica Center, featuring new seating, state-of-the-art video boards, and upgraded fan amenities. The organization also opened its first brick-and-mortar retail store, Legends Locker, offering fans access to exclusive team merchandise year-round. Media reach expanded significantly with the renewal of a strategic partnership with Urban Edge Network and the addition of a new media deal with TEGNA, further elevating the team’s visibility across key markets.

Off the court, the team continued its tradition of innovation and community impact. For the second consecutive year, the Legends hosted the only NBA-affiliated game played at an HBCU, a preseason matchup at Paul Quinn College presented by Thrivent. The team’s 24 themed jersey nights each spotlighted a different local nonprofit, raising over $12,500 through jersey auctions while amplifying critical causes across North Texas.

NBA G League President's Choice Award: Cleveland Charge

The Cleveland Charge are proud to announce the team has been named the NBA G League’s President’s Choice Award winner for the 2024-25 season. Established prior to the 2021-22 NBA G League season, the award is chosen by NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim recognizing the team that embodies and demonstrates excellence in business performance across key areas of focus.

“It is my honor and privilege to present this year’s President’s Choice Award to the Cleveland Charge,” said Abdur-Rahim. “The Charge have consistently ranked among the top performers in business operations across the G League, and I’m thrilled to see the entire organization receive this well-deserved recognition.”

“This award is a testament to the hard work of our entire Cleveland Charge organization,” said Charge President Rocco Maragas. “Being recognized for excellence in all areas – community engagement, promotional creativity, revenue and several others – is incredibly rewarding. We're proud to set the standard for what it means to run a world-class organization in the NBA G League.”

The Charge had a historic 2024-25 season highlighted with a move to Cleveland Public Hall that led to growth across multiple departments including ticket sales, corporate partnerships and digital engagement. The team welcomed over 4,000 fans to 11 games, averaging sixth for attendance in the NBA G League. In addition to the new venue, the Charge sported a new jersey patch partnership on the court with Rocket and welcomed 16 new partnerships over the season.

Fans and partners were treated to unforgettable promotions all year long with six unique theme jersey nights including Retro Cavaliers, Grateful Dead and Deadpool. In addition to 15 giveaways, the Charge hosted their first celebrity on Jon Gries Appearance Night when the actor known as Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite met with fans and participated in in-game moments dedicated to his role in the hit film.

The Charge continued to leave their impact in the Northeast Ohio community throughout the year with programs like Barbershop Banter and Homeroom Hoopers as well as several sports clinics. Through Cleveland Clinic Children’s Night and Special Olympics Polar Plunge Day, the team was able to shine a light on members of the community while raising funds through specialty jersey auctions.

With a year full of memorable promotions and the iconic aesthetic of Public Hall, the team’s digital engagements also grew throughout the year to rank fifth amongst the league for follower growth. The Charge’s social channels saw over 13 million impressions and spearheaded over 150 collaboration posts with local influencers, the NBA G League, the Cleveland Cavaliers and more. A special local highlight of the season was when the team used their platform to showcase The W Sports Bar, the first women’s sports bar in Cleveland, for their Women’s History Celebration and continued partnership.

NBA G League Retailer of the Year: Santa Cruz Warriors

The Santa Cruz Warriors, the four-time NBA G League Franchise of the Year and NBA G League affiliate of the Golden State Warriors, have been recognized as the 2024-25 NBA G League Retailer of the Year, the league announced today.

The NBA G League Retailer of the Year award recognizes a commitment to growing retail sales, integrating products cross-functionally, and expanding retail touchpoints. The 2024-25 NBA G League season was a historic year for Santa Cruz’s retail operations, as the team generated a franchise record in total merchandise revenue. The landmark season was highlighted by the Warriors’ annual Chase Center game on March 9 against the Mexico City Capitanes, which saw the Sea Dubs set a franchise high in single-day merchandise sales.

The Sea Dubs’ partnership with Rakuten also created exciting promotions for fans shopping at the Santa Cruz Warriors Team Store throughout the 2024-25 season. In addition to receiving 10% Cash Back on all Team Store purchases made through Rakuten, fans who spent over $50 received a free, limited-edition Warriors jacket. The collaborative activation turned out to be tremendously successful, with a massive turnout of fans taking advantage of this opportunity to get exclusive team merchandise.

“The Santa Cruz Warriors are incredibly proud to be recognized as the NBA G League Retailer of the Year,” said Santa Cruz Warriors Chief Operating Officer, David Kao. “This award is a great testament to our team’s dedication to consistently elevating our retail offerings and enhancing the overall fan experience with unique, high-quality Warriors merchandise. This recognition speaks to the hard work our front office staff puts in throughout the year and the tremendous support we receive from our fans and the Santa Cruz community.”

NBA G League Retailer of the Year: Grand Rapids Gold “Elf Night”

The Grand Rapids Gold won the 2025 NBA G League Promotion of the Year for "Elf" Night, one of their three themed nights last season. Their movie inspired jerseys raised $2,536 for charity, while social media posts were featured on ESPN, Sports Center, Overtime, and Sports Illustrated.

NBA G League Partnership of the Year: Long Island Nets x Royal Bank of Canada

The Long Island Nets won the 2025 NBA G League Partnership of the Year. They teamed up with CH Groupe (owners of the Montreal Canadiens) to successfully bring professional basketball to Montreal. Through the NBA G League's Alternate Identity Program, the team adapted its brand, creating “Les Nets” to celebrate Montreal’s French culture and heritage.

The Les Nets logo features a reimagined basketball shape, a nod to the iconic Mount Royal cross, and the fleur-de-lis symbol honoring the city’s French roots. Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) seized the moment, becoming the Presenting Partner of the historic six-game series and deeply embedding its brand into the launch of Les Nets.