CCLB MAIN 10-02-06 Cavs 1 CCLB 9/28/06 11:34 AM Page 1
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CCLB MAIN 10-02-06 Cavs 1 CCLB 9/28/06 11:34 AM Page 1 MARC GOLUB Danny Ferry, in his second year as the Cavaliers’ general manager, is excited about the next steps for the team, including building upon last year’s performance in the postseason, when the Cavs beat the Washington Wizards and took the Detroit Pistons to the brink of elimination. Finding his footing After a whirlwind first year on the job, Cavs general manager Danny Ferry is focused on plotting the future of the team. Eventually, he says, that future holds an NBA championship. THE DANNY FERRY FILE Story by JOHN BOOTH [email protected] FRONT-OFFICE EXPERIENCE: raised the bar on both internal and external 2005-present: General fter one year in the Cavs front manager, Cleveland Cavaliers office, former player Danny Ferry expectations for this year. 2003-2005: Director of basket- seems more relaxed — and more “We should have more confidence in general ball operations, San Antonio Spurs (2004-2005 NBA champions) excited. as a team,” he said. “I think we should be PLAYING EXPERIENCE: ACan you blame him? The Cleveland hungrier, because we’ve had a taste of it (the 2000-2003: San Antonio Cavaliers’ general manager and 13-year NBA postseason). And teams are going to focus on Spurs (2002-03 NBA champions) us more. We’re not going to be able to fly under 1990-2000: Cleveland Cava- veteran is coming off a return to the playoffs, liers (all-time leader, games played) and an offseason that included the highest- the radar.” COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: profile contract talks in the league. That much was clear this summer, when 1985-1989: Duke University Ferry is clearly looking forward to his the Cavaliers’ contract talks had fans biting (1989 Naismith Award winner, top player in the nation; first-team All- second year on the job, with good reason. their nails until LeBron James and Drew American, 1987-1988, 1988- After an eight-year playoff drought, the Gooden inked new deals. 1989) Cavaliers not only reached last year’s post- “We walked into the summer saying we had PERSONAL: a good year,” he said. “We started to build He and wife, Tiffany, have four season, but clocked the Washington Wizards daughters: Hannah, Grace, Sophia in the opening round and pushed the Detroit momentum, and said, ‘Let’s continue to build and Lucy Pistons to seven games in the Eastern from the inside out.’ Obviously, LeBron is a key Conference semifinals. ingredient for Northeast Ohio and our team. Ferry called attaining the playoff berth We also believe Drew, for our team, played an “kind of a burden shed,” but said it also See FERRY Page C-7 CCLB MAIN 10-02-06 Cavs 2 CCLB 9/28/06 2:48 PM Page 1 C-2 CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS OCTOBER 2-8, 2006 216.362.9904 www.skyquestllc.com Safe and Economical Aircraft Charter Fractional Ownership Positions Available Reduce Operating Costs with Aircraft Management Call Us for a No Hassle Evaluation SKY QUEST…YOUR SEARCH IS OVER RUGGERO FATICA Parts of the Cavs’ new-look front offices have hardwood floors, including this area with a scoreboard-encased television. Front offices latest Gilbert upgrade oyster perpetual yacht-master Cavs owner aims to add excitement level to work environment with face-lift By JOHN BOOTH [email protected] t’s tough not to be excited about how the Cavaliers spent OFFICIAL ROLEX JEWELER their summer vacation: The ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL AND YACHT-MASTER ARE TRADEMARKS. team re-signed LeBron James Iand Drew Gooden and in many NBA analysts’ eyes, nabbed two great draft picks in Shannon Brown and Daniel Gibson. Team owner Dan Gilbert shares that excitement. He’s equally enthu- siastic, though, about changes to a facet of the team that most people won’t ever see: the $4.2 million reno- vation of the Cavaliers’ front office space at Quicken Loans Arena. It’s just one more step toward his efforts at building a “championship Several front-office conference rooms were part of the renovation. culture” that extends beyond the basketball court. to each other, for instance, and for million he has put into renovating “This is a fun entertainment busi- the first time, Cavaliers general The Q over the last two years. ness, and as far as I’m concerned, manager Danny Ferry and head “We don’t sit here and make an when people walk into the front coach Mike Brown won’t have offices ROI (return on investment) decision OW! offices, it shouldn’t be a law firm,” he on different floors at opposite ends of on every investment we make or 45 ppm! said in a telephone interview. “We’ve the complex. every dollar we spend,” Gilbert said. got a great product and exciting stuff “All of these little things matter, “We think that’s very short-sighted.” happening, and that’s how the peo- and what appear to be little things As an example, he points to last As low as ple’s environment should be that to people are huge things,” Gilbert year’s replacement of the seats in $52.00 per they work in every day, so they can said. “It would be like Spock and the arena, and the switch from month! project that to our fans.” Kirk trying to run the Enterprise … bright blue to Cavalier wine. ‘Non-office office’ from different parts of the Enter- “Is that really going to make one prise. It just doesn’t work that way.” single person, because that seat’s a When the roughly 230 Cavs office As far as Ferry and Brown being different color, come and buy a ticket Get the versatile HP LaserJet 4345mfp today for about half the employees move back into their next door to one another, Gilbert to a game where they otherwise spaces on the fifth and sixth floors of said, “Being able to see each other wouldn’t have? The answer’s ‘no’ if price as some single-function printers and for less than most office The Q (they spent their summer and communicate and build their you isolate it.” But, he goes on to say, copiers...and without complex copier contracts. working out of Quicken Loans’ Cleve- relationship, with their staffs talk- that change and the money behind it land branch offices), they’ll find what ing to each other, can only result in played a role in the team’s television Gilbert calls a “non-office office.” better things.” talks with Fox Sports Net Ohio. Work spaces are separated by low Fox officials, he recalled, felt walls, so there’s little division in the Part of the bigger picture secure in signing a long-term deal expansive space. Cavaliers’ colors Gilbert says his idea of a champi- with the team because they’d seen and photos and logos are every- onship culture is built on the same how much cash Gilbert and his where, and regulation basketball philosophies with which he runs partners had poured into the arena. hoops are mounted throughout. Quicken Loans. Gilbert says there’s no reason Parts of the office have hardwood He refers often to a Quicken why the approach he uses with (216) 663-8181 • (800) 888-9752 court-style floors, including the employee handbook called “Isms in Quicken Loans shouldn’t carry over Cleveland • Columbus • New York conference room, which is shaped Action,” which espouses thoughts on into the Cavaliers operations. email: [email protected] like the key of a basketball court. effectively running a business. Of “It’s what I call ‘carrying the Through the ceiling, a giant basket- paramount importance, he says, are thread’ through the organization,” ball seems to descend. the ideas of reducing bureaucracy he said. “I just personally believe The makeover, designed by Vocon and increasing employee creativity. that that kind of culture, a champi- Design Inc., a Cleveland architectural One of those oft-quoted “isms” onship culture, is nearly the same firm, is supposed to be more than — “Money follows, it does not lead” thing, whether it’s an NBA team or fun, though. Changes in the layout — comes into play when Gilbert a great business or a nonprofit or are meant to put work groups closer talks about the more than $20 whatever.” Q CCLB MAIN 10-02-06 Cavs 3 CCLB 9/28/06 11:33 AM Page 1 OCTOBER 2-8, 2006 CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS C-3 Brown: Experience in playoffs, LAMBAKE READYTO C COOK&EAT $ .95 continuity will sustain success SEASON FOR ONLY: 14 Do it yo IS H ERE!! urself or we can arrange for a c Second-year coach optimistic Cavs can continue on road to title REWARD YOUR EMPLOYEES! aterer Host a memorable picnic... By JOEL HAMMOND State Fish supplies everything [email protected] but the tablecloth. Starting as CUSTOM BAKES low as $14.95 per person AVAILABLE s long as LeBron James SPECIAL dresses in the home locker BONUS Mention this ad for room at Quicken Loans special Crain’s bonus Arena — which will be at leastA until the summer of 2010 — Call our Clam Bake Experts Today! the Cavaliers will be a contender for the NBA championship. 216-696-0080 or 800-362-2257 The retention of power forward 1600 Merwin Ave. Cleveland • www.statefishinc.com Drew Gooden and three additions to James’ supporting cast have coach Mike Brown thinking big for the 2006-2007 season, which begins with a home preseason game next Tuesday night, Oct. 10, against Boston. Dating was meant to be simple.