Reports reveal that the NBA is in talks of potentially playing out the 2020-21 season in a bubble. However, the Miami Heat organization subscribe to a different view: they anticipate playing to a full arena next season.
Per Ira Winderman of the South Florida South Sentinel, Miami Heat president Eric Woolworth shared his optimistic view of next season. He noted that the organization has been selling tickets, meeting the demands of the Heat fans.
“We plan on playing next season in front of fans, and plan on having a sold-out facility, just like we've had since going back to 2009, for all our games,” Woolworth said.
“We're going to keep doing all the things we would do in an offseason. And we've been selling tickets right along,” Woolworth said. “And I think it speaks volumes to the amount of interest that people in Miami have in our team, but also in the commitment that we have in the community, and to make sure we do play next year in front of our fans and figure out how to do it safely.”
He noted that not having fans would be “financial suicide” for them. Though they are aware of the NBA's plans to potentially play in an isolated location again, Woolworth and crew have been working double-time for a health-and-safety plan.
“We have been working really, really hard on the heath-and-safety plan, which I'm sure we'll be rolling out some time this fall,” he said. “And right now, I think time is on our side. We've got a tentative date of December first, but that could slide, and might be January before we start.”
It would be interesting to see how the league and its teams adapt to the new normal. Woolworth and the Heat are aware of the financial repercussions of this and are doing their best to adjust.
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