Heat File Suits Against Fans, Sponsors Who Have Not Paid For Seats
The Heat and its Basketball Properties subsidiary, which operates AmericanAirlines Arena, have "filed 16 lawsuits in the past year against companies and people," including premium-seat holders and sponsors, who they "claim owe about $1.6[M] -- if not more," according to Patrick Danner of the MIAMI HERALD. The Heat have "taken the most litigious approach among South Florida sports franchises to force customers and clients to honor agreements." By comparison, the NHL Panthers and affiliate Arena Operating Co., which operates the BankAtlantic Center, "filed three suits in 2008 to collect about $100,000." A search of court records "didn't turn up any suits filed by either" the Dolphins or Marlins in the past year. Real estate developers, realty firms, a mortgage lender, investment companies and a restaurant group "are among those targeted by the Heat." At least a "few of the cases have been resolved." But some of the companies and people being sued by the Heat are "making an unusual defense for why they didn't pay in full: The team was lousy last season." Heat season-ticket holder Deborah Cremer, in court documents filed in response to a suit, said that the team "failed to provide a product that it had advertised to the general public prior to entering the agreement" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/13).
SOUTH BEACH DIET: In Miami, Barry Jackson writes the slumping economy is "taking a toll on fan turnout" for sporting events in South Florida, causing the Dolphins, Heat, Marlins and NHL Panthers to "rethink how they do business." The Heat this season are averaging 17,530 tickets distributed per game at AmericanAirlines Arena, 16th in the NBA and down from 19,635 last season, while the Panthers are averaging 15,156 tickets distributed per game at BankAtlantic Center, 25th in the NHL and down from 15,436 for the '07-08 season. Jackson notes the "number of people who actually attend Heat and Panthers games is lower, sometimes significantly so." The Panthers this season also "canceled plans to add a $25 fee to tickets for marquee games." However, Marlins President David Samson said the team's season-ticket renewal rate is "way up from last year." Samson also noted that the Marlins have "not made layoffs and, in fact, are hiring 40 new employees in sales and other departments" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/13).
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