This issue was overseen by Deputy Editor Renee Cordes, a Chicago Cubs fan who dug in to find out what makes the Portland Sea Dogs, Maine Celtics, Maine Mariners and Portland Hearts of Pine tick.
It’s no secret that Maine has a strong foothold in the sports economy.
Between the four minor-league teams and a healthy dose of outdoor pursuits, from snowmobiling to running races, a sports fan can stay busy in Maine.
Peter Van Allen
This issue was overseen by Deputy Editor Renee Cordes, a Chicago Cubs fan who dug in to find out what makes the Portland Sea Dogs, Maine Celtics, Maine Mariners and Portland Hearts of Pine tick. Her husband, Jim Neuger, handled much of the photography for the issue.
Renee’s cover story, “Big Plays in a small market,” gives an inside look at both the investments made by the teams and the role they play in being feeder clubs for franchises like the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins. Working the games, she also offers a first-hand account of the atmosphere in the ballpark, on the field and in the arenas.
“Minor-league sports is in essence a small business,” Dajuan Eubanks, president of the Maine Celtics, tells Renee. “We don’t save lives, we don’t sell washing machines or insurance. We sell smiles.”
Elsewhere in the issue, we take a look at other aspects of the sports business. Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber delves into the impact of marathons and outdoor sports. Sloane Perron looks at how companies manage their sponsorship dollars. And Aroostook County correspondent John O’Meara shows how snowmobiling helps economies in rural areas.
