top of page

Miami Heat, Kaseya Center Delivers on In-Game Experience

Writer's picture: Jake CJake C

Updated: Jan 22

Going to an NBA game is one of the most thrilling treats that a basketball fan can do to get their sweet tooth sports' fix. End-to-end excitement contained within 94 feet of hardwood. Crossovers, dunks, and 3-pointers from deep behind the line. During breaks in action, there are usually interactive activations for the fans which add to the fan experience.


The Miami Heat do it better than most.


Although the Heat dropped their January 17 home game to the Denver Nuggets by a 133-113 score in a contest where Jimmy Butler did not play particularly well, Nikola Jokic (24 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) put up another triple-double, and Jamal Murray caught fire with 30 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds, the game was a great experience from start to finish.


The Heat wore their Miami Vice home whites, jerseys that carry a vintage feel and are a deviation from their customary white, black, and red (which are a classic combination themselves). A giant, 3-dimensional teal and pink Heat logo glistened high above the floor in between the scoreboard for the alternate occasion. Big screens cover the giant logo, spanning each side of the scoreboard. There are also screens visible from the inside, maximizing viewing from all angles, surely an advantage for the fans higher up in the stands.


In-game timeouts included such entertainment as the Heat dancers, the team's "Golden Oldies" dancers, a fan shooting contest with $400,000 at stake, finish the verse fan trivia sponsored by Bacardi, a timeout where fans turn on their phone lights and dance to F.L.Y.’s Swag Surfin, and another break in action that includes a package drop from the rafters, the prize a free cruise courtesy of Heat owner Micky Arison’s Carnival Cruise Lines. Because it was Miami Vice night, creative and eye-catching merchandise was modeled during one of the timeouts.


Other teams have great in-arena experiences, like the Phoenix Suns, who employ fan trivia and evoke ‘90s hip-hop and R&B hits with their in-arena instrumentals, and the Los Angeles Lakers, who also employ fan trivia and fan engagements like on-court shooting contests. The Philadelphia 76ers do a quality job, too, with their game presentation and in-arena activations.


The Heat though are right at the top as far as in-game experience goes from a fan perspective. It doesn't hurt either that they have a competent on-court product, being one of the more consistent and successful franchises over the last decade (and change) that starts with solid management with a Hall of Fame President and a head coach who will be in the Hall of Fame one day.




8 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Happy 62nd Birthday, Michael Jordan

Over time, GOAT debates have become overdone and tiresome. Everyone has an opinion and viewpoint. Eventually, circles are run over and...

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
bottom of page