But we really felt for the sales people. Not only did ticket sales suffer in the slide of the 1990s, but Mavs merchandise became a joke of its own. No one wanted to be caught dead wearing a Mavs T-shirt in public. But for true suffering, there was no place like the offices of the athletic staff. But we seem to be doing so well now.
Surprises are wonderful.
I'd like to say this was the plan. Cheryl Karalla, executive assistant to team president Terdema Ussery, started in the ticket department in 1984 and has seen the franchise grow, despite its failures, largely because of the NBA's emergence. It's gotten bigger, and there's a lot more awareness. Of course, with success comes more work. The team is back in the playoffs.