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V O L . X X X I I N O. I V F E B R UA R Y 2 3 , 2 0 2 6 14 S P O R T S / T O U R I S M / R E C R E AT I O N F O C U S e Maine Red Claws were launched in 2009 as an expansion team in the NBA Development League with $2 mil- lion from 15 backers who formed Maine Basketball LLC; at the time, the team was an affiliate of the Boston Celtics and Charlotte (N.C.) Bobcats. Owned by the Boston Celtics since 2019, the team rebranded as the Maine Celtics in 2021 and restyled its crustacean mascot Crusher from red to Celtics green. Today as one of 31 teams in the Gatorade-sponsored G League, the Maine Celtics are the only Portland minor-league operation owned by its major-league affiliate. e Boston Celtics changed hands last year when a private equity-backed group acquired majority control for a record $6.1 billion. e Maine Celtics advertise that "the road to Boston begins in Maine," where President Dajuan Eubanks oversees 14 year-round employees and up to 100 seasonal staff. "Minor-league sports is in essence a small business," the former Harlem Globetrotter says hours before a Friday-night game versus the Salt Lake City Stars (the home team won 107-102). While the $45,000 standard con- tract for G League players is a fraction of what NBA hoopsters earn, there's a $5,000 incentive if the player stays on the roster the whole season. In addi- tion, players on two-way contracts shuffling between the G League and NBA earn $636,435, or half of an NBA rookie's minimum salary. Salaries go up exponentially for players called up to the NBA — there have been 24 so far, including three on Boston's cur- rent roster. With an eye on April's post-season, Eubanks says he would "desperately love" to replace the empty banner hang- ing in the Expo with a victory flag. "When you're part of the Celtics orga- nization, everyone knows what we're in the business of — and that's winning championships," he says. During what is already a fast-paced sport, there's also pressure to fill every break in play with music, cheerleader dances and other entertainment: "We don't save lives, we don't sell washing machines or insurance," Eubanks says. "We sell smiles." Maine Celtics President Dajuan Eubanks fist-bumps fans after a 118-95 win over the College Park (Md.) Skyhawks. Minor-league sports is in essence a small business. — Dajuan Eubanks Maine Celtics Ballpark figures: Maine sports teams make the most of leased, dated venues B y R e n e e C o r d e s I t's a hard-knock life for minor-league sports, which in a smaller market like Portland requires making the most of leased facilities — and sometimes a hefty bill for upgrades. The Portland Sea Dogs, Maine Celtics and Hearts of Pine all lease venues from the city, while the Maine Mariners are tenants of Cumberland County at the Cross Insurance Arena. Originally called the Cumberland County Civic Center, the building dates to 1977 — the same year that Barry Manilow released "Looks Like We Made It." (The 82-year- old pop star will actually give a concert there this April.) But winter belongs to hockey, and while the Mariners have not plunked any of their own money into the arena, the team has benefited from new boards and glass replaced by the county in 2024. "We would love to have more premium seating availability," says CEO Adam Goldberg. "The demand for premium space is high but the current arena does not allow for expansion." Among the three city-owned venues, the 112-year- old Portland Expo is by far the oldest. It has played host to concerts by musical greats from the Beach Boys to Janis Joplin and a 1945 wrestling match whose referee was Babe Ruth. Far more modest than Boston's TD Garden — site of Boston Celtics and Bruins games — the home of the Maine Celtics endures wear and tear from the NBA G League team and fellow users including Portland High School and middle school sports teams. Over the years the Maine Celtics have poured more than $1 million into upgrades at the Expo, including a new hardcourt in 2022. With the team's current three-year lease set to expire in June with the possibility to extend to 2029, city offi- cials are exploring options for the Expo's future direction. Meanwhile at the 32-year-old ballpark where the Sea Dogs next take the field in April, the team recently invested $15 million to build a new clubhouse and replace the turf. "The turf was installed before the first snow, and the outfield wall is still being finished, but the field is ready for play," says Sea Dogs President Geoff Iacuessa. The projects were financed by the team's private equity-backed owner, with additional support from a state tax credit of up to $2 million to be spread over 15 years. "If we didn't make those investments, we would have been relocated," Iacuessa says. The Sea Dogs' 15-year lease agreement with the city is valid until 2038. Next door at Fitzpatrick Stadium, the Portland Hearts of Pine soccer squad invested $2.6 million in its inaugural season to install a new turf and LED lighting, add locker rooms and spiff up the press box. The team shares "Fitzy" with the Portland High School Bulldogs and has a five-year lease valid through 2029 with the option to renew for two more five-year terms. The Portland Expo, built in 1914, is the country's oldest municipally owned multi-use arena. It opened in 1915 and is the home of the Maine Celtics basketball team. P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R Maine Celtics defeat College Park Skyhawks 118-95 at the Portland Expo. 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