Bruins Named 'Sports Team Of The Year' By SportsBusiness Journal

BOSTON (CBS) - Their season did not end with a parade through the streets of Boston, but the Boston Bruins were named "Sports Team of the Year" at the 2012 Sports Business Awards held Wednesday in New York City.

The award is presented each year to one sports franchise based on "excellence, growth, creativity, innovation, sound planning, implementation and outcomes." It is voted on by a panel of editors, writers and researchers from the SportsBuniness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily.

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The Bruins won thanks to their  2011 Stanley Cup Championship title (the award was for the period between March 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012) as well as their involvement in many charitable contributions throughout the Boston area. The Boston Bruins Foundation donated $1.6 million to various charities through grants and in-game fundraising in 2012.

Thanks to their cup run, the B's saw record growth in revenue of ticket sales, retail sales, and corporate sponsorship. The Bruins were also recognized for increasing their online presence with the launch of the Bruins' "Digital Enterainment Network," responsible for those great "Bear and the Bear" webisodes.

The Bruins were nominated with the Dayton Dragons, Sporting Kansas City, Stewart-Haas Racing, and the Texas Rangers for the award.