Good business model

Title run keeps tickets in demand

DOC RIVERSEnjoyed Newport

NEWPORT, R.I. - Luckily for the Celtics, they don't believe they will take a major hit due to the nation's economy woes.

NBA commissioner David Stern said last week that the economy could affect ticket sales, adding that more fans could watch games on television rather than attending live. Celtics president Rich Gotham, however, said recently that the franchise's 2008 NBA championship, popular brand, and position in the strong Boston sports market should keep the team from being strongly affected by the poor economy. With the exception of the 300 upper-deck seats only made available on game days, Gotham said the Celtics are completely sold out this season.

"I don't think you can ignore it," said Gotham of the nation's economy woes during a recent telephone interview. "But I'm very happy we're coming off the championship season because it will help us hold off economy hits. We don't foresee anything right now.

"We have sold all our season tickets. Got sponsorship done. We don't have single-game tickets available and they were gone right away when out."

During the Celtics' road to a championship last season, the sold-out TD Banknorth Garden was a very popular place to be. But even during the Celtics' 24-win season of 2006-07 - before Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett arrived - they still averaged 16,200 fans per game.

If there is a concern for Gotham, it is whether there will be a decrease in ticket or suite sales from companies that must cut expenses. "If there is something to worry about, it's corporate entertainment and licensing suites," Gotham said. "We haven't seen it affected. But if there is something, it would be corporate hospitality and entertainment dollars. I think it will have an impact on sports business in the economy.

"The thing about sports is that it is an escape for people that takes you away from the day-to-day pressures. You hope people find discretionary income for sports. We're lucky coming off the season we come from. But from the gravity of the economy, there is more to come."

Shipping out early

Coach Doc Rivers decided to end training camp at Salve Regina University yesterday, a day earlier than expected. The Celtics will have today off and resume practice tomorrow at their facility in Waltham.

Rivers said Garnett, Allen, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Tony Allen, and Eddie House, and newcomer Patrick O'Bryant have been impressive thus far, and that everyone else needs to step up.

The Celtics open preseason action Wednesday against Philadelphia at UMass.

"It's important to get away," Rivers said of the time in Newport. "And this was perfect, it really was. The gym was great because [the floor] was [springy]. But it was just a great location, beautiful, and there were a lot of restaurants after practice for guys to enjoy.

"We got out of it what we needed to get out of it, team building and getting back to being one group. I thought that was key."

Rivers enjoyed having training camp in Newport and says he would like to have it there again next year. The Celtics trained in Rome last year and at the University of Vermont in 2004.

"I have ammunition now," said Rivers, about training away from Boston. "The first year [I was here] they let me and we won the division. The next two years they didn't let me and we won [33] games and 24 games. Last year they let me and we win the world championship. So, I think pretty much from now on, we are going to be able to go away."

One and done?

Guard Sam Cassell actually has a guaranteed one-year deal this season, not the nonguaranteed deal as previously thought following a misinterpretation from an interview with a team official. Cassell, who turns 39 Nov. 18, said Saturday that this will definitely be his last season. "It will be time. It's time," said Cassell, who could become an assistant with the Celtics . . . Center Kendrick Perkins dunked strongly in practice Saturday but probably won't engage in contact in practice until next week because of his surgically repaired left shoulder . . . The Celtics' first team defeated the second team, 47-40, during a scrimmage Saturday night. Pierce and Ray Allen scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the first team while House and Tony Allen scored 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the reserves. . . . Through their philanthropic efforts, Ray Allen and his wife, Shannon, have helped raise more than $30,000 in the last month to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes. . . . Sister Therese Antone, president of Salve Regina, watched practice and visited with several players afterward. . . . Rivers said rookie Bill Walker will play mostly small forward since he has the strength to do so and likely will have trouble guarding quick shooting guards. . . . The entire Rutgers men's basketball staff watched practices over the weekend. "Rutgers must have a big budget," Rivers joked with the school's coaches.

Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com