http://www.benmaller.com/archives/2004/july/12-las_vegas_heat.html The Heat has been in financial difficulty in recent years. It's also the only NBA team that has hidden its balcony behind a curtain because of empty seats. Fortunes improved during Miami's exciting playoff run, but rumors remain that the franchise is one of most likely to be sold. The Las Vegas Heat? That's a name that fits the move. South Florida isn't the greatest place for an NBA franchise. Pro basketball never has been big there. Even the old ABA bailed out after a short stay. It has been a struggle for the Heat, which already is playing in its second new arena since joining the NBA in 1988 and historically ranks among the lowest in average attendance. With the lure of Las Vegas, Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade in Heat uniforms, and Michael Jordan in an ownership position, it would be problem for him to put together a major ownership group. Jordan would have a chance to run the first major-league sports franchise in Las Vegas. And what a draw that would be for players. Stern has rejected talk of a team moving there, but the area is growing rapidly as a major retirement destination and it's probably inevitable that a major sports league will move there. Moreover, the NBA tends to be ahead of rival leagues in its thinking. Wouldn't O'Neal love, at some point, to get back into the Western Conference and make it clear to the Lakers what they lost?
Miami is also having this problem with the Marlins. As I understand it, they had a last ditch effort to get a new ballpark, but the legislature decided against it. Sound a lot like Houston in the early 90's.
wasn't there some discussion about a team in Las Vegas, was it the Texans? I remember when Houston was in the bidding for the expansion team with other cities, wasn't Vegas in the mix and the NFL didn't want them there... or it could have been the NBA I don't rememebr
that was during the rockets potential franchise free agency period. louisville and las vegas...right??
I agree with you. I heard that the NBA won't allow a team in NV until they outlaw sports betting and the chances of that are somewhere between hell, no and no f***ing way!
The NBA has exhibition games at the Thomas and Mack in late August almost every. It's always the Lakers,but this year they are adding Scaramento and Phoenix. Las Vegas is practically Laker territory unfortunately
I have $50 bet riding on the fact that DC gets baseball by December 31st. Things are not looking good for me either.
Here's the biggest reason why the Heat wont move ANYWHERE anytime soon....... Its a lil place called American Airlines Center that opened in 1999. The Heat are landlocked in it for 30 years.........much like the Rockets at Toyota Center. And besides, what owner on earth would want to leave this anyways....
