HEAT POLL: ARENA VOTE NEAR EVEN

     A telephone poll of 529 likely Miami voters, conducted by
the Heat between October 19-21, revealed that when asked if a new
downtown arena should be built, 45% of respondents said no, while
43% said yes, according to Don Finefrock in the MIAMI HERALD.
The poll had a margin of error of +- 4.3%.  Team pollster David
Hill wrote in a memo that the Heat "should be headed to victory
on November 5," when voters will decide on a proposed waterfront
project.  The Heat, trying to gain public support for their $165M
arena, will unveil a new ad featuring singer Julio Iglesias, who
is a part owner of the team (MIAMI HERALD, 10/25).  The Third
District Court of Appeal ruled yesterday that "voters should
decide the fate of the proposed waterfront arena."  The Heat had
sought to block the arena referendum, which they argued was
"illegal" and "misleading" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/25).