With the NHL Panthers moving to a new arena, there
"might be a dozen nights" next season when the Heat and
Panthers are playing on the same night, according to Barry
Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. It "would have been possible"
to avoid the teams playing simultaneously, but Miami Arena,
which chooses the Heat's dates, "won't ask the Panthers for
a list of their dates and will make no effort to avoid
conflicts." Miami Arena GM Rob Franklin: "My job is to book
this building as best I can. It's already complicated
enough without trying to avoid the Panthers' dates." More
Franklin: "We're not trying to be adversarial. But I don't
think it's a problem. I've checked into other cities with
two arenas, such as Detroit, and there is no coordination or
communication between the teams." Both the Heat and the
Panthers say they "don't know" how many people have season
tickets for both teams. Franklin: "I don't think conflicts
will be a dilemma for many people, because the crowds at
Heat and Panthers games aren't similar" (MIA. HERALD, 3/15).
