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Las Vegas Heat?

Monday, July 12, 2004

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?