FEATURES (Interior):
* View of city skyline and bay from all concourses
* Public terraces/balconies off all concourses
* Private terraces with center court suites
* Restaurant/bar with interior view of bowl
* Multiple purpose practice court with views of the bay
* Suite concepts for 4 to 12 seats
* Steep configuration in lower bowl emphasizes intimacy of space and intensity of player/audience relationship
* Over 42% of seating at sidecourt
* Adjustable end zone seating maximizes sightlines for basketball
* ADA compliant
FEATURES (Exterior):
* Direct access to parking from premium seating
* Bayside landscaped terrace with outdoor café, bar and informal activity space
* All parking concealed below arena
* Link with Bayside Market Place via striking new pedestrian bridge
* Artistic exterior lighting and graphics concept integral to the architectural design
* Transparency from city and bay into inner life of arena:
* Design emphasis on the unique opportunity of utilizing tropical outdoors
| Basketball seating: | |
| Lower Bowl | 9,600 |
| Suite Level | 800 |
| Upper Bowl | 5,800 |
| Upper Balconies | 3,800 |
| Total Seats | 20,000 |
| Parking: | |
| On-site Parking | 1,147 |
| Parking within 10 minute walk | 8,100 |
| Parking within 15 minute walk | 18,200 |
| Future offsite planned parking | 3,600 |
Fire sweeps through unfinished Heat arena
November 13, 1998
MIAMI (AP) -- A new downtown arena under construction for the NBA's Miami Heat caught fire Friday, sending smoke billowing across the city's waterfront skyline.
Flames could be seen shooting from wooden construction material on an upper section of the $165 million American Airlines Arena.
THE FACILITY IS EXPECTED to open in December 1999 on 14 acres downtown along Biscayne Bay. It is
The Heat's new home was approved by voters in a referendum in November 1996. Heat owner Micky Arison will contribute $50 million to the project, with hotel tax revenue covering most of the rest.
THE ULTIMATE SPORTS ROAD TRIP
By: Andrew Kulyk & Peter Farrell
| American Airlines Arena Ranking by USRT |
| Architecture |  | 8 |
| Concessions | | 6 |
| Scoreboard | | 7 |
| Ushers | | 5 |
| Fan Support | | 4 |
| Location | | 6 |
| Banners/History | | 3 |
| Entertainment | | 6.5 |
| Concourses/Fan Comfort | | 5 |
| Bonus: Two for McAdoo | | 2 |
| Bonus: McAdoo Interview | | 2 |
| Total Score |  | 54.5 |
February 9, 2000 & January 19, 2002 - With all the hype surrounding the opening of this spanking new arena just two months earlier, we were anticipating having our socks knocked off when we got to this place. But even though we were impressed with the arena, it did not meet the high expectations we had placed on this venue.
The American Airlines Arena replaces the former home of the Heat, the "old" Miami Arena, which is located three blocks away. We say "old" somewhat sarcastically, since Miami Arena is less than 20 years old. Yet in this day and age of club seats and premium seating, the old arena had become obsolete, though still used by the Miami Hurricanes college team. The NHL Panthers went their own way with a new arena 35 miles north outside Ft. Lauderdale, while the Heat went ahead with their new showplace right on Biscayne Blvd. in downtown Miami. The WNBA Miami Sol also play their games here.
Outside the Venue
The neighborhood is a study in contrasts... right across the street to the south is a festive
plaza, arcade and marina, with shopping, restaurants, patio bars and nightclubs in
abundance. The ambience of this place is truly special. It is a great place to enjoy dinner or drinks before or after a Heat game in the warm Florida air, along with breathtaking views of
Biscayne Bay and the causeways to Miami Beach. Cross over Biscayne to the east, and you
will traverse Miami's worst areas -- homeless shelters, a dilapidated bus station, and
impound lots surrounded by barbed wire fencing. Out of all this mix rises this imposing
sports structure - a massive, stone arena with huge outdoor plazas; high tech in its
architecture and the scrolling ticker boards running across the rim of the building.
Parking starts at $15, with some lots at $10. The cheaper lots are over towards Miami
Arena, but unless you want to walk through this rough area, we suggest you pay the higher
fee and park close by. Meters are monitored 24-7, so if you park on the street you will be ticketed.
The Concourses
The arena is laid out in such a way as to offer a maze of many varied concourses, all
connected by short escalators. One of the most dramatic features of the arena is the
floodlit mood lighting which is done in Miami Heat colors. The ground floor is bathed in
bright red, the main concourse in orange and the upper level in yellow. Stand outside at a
distance from the arena at night, and this looks spectacular. Go inside, however, and as
you ride the escalators up, this lighting only accentuates the splashes of gray concrete and
calls attention to the unfinished concrete work on the walls and ceilings. In fact, one can still see the etchings and measurement marks left by the contractors who built the
structure.
On our second visit, we were impressed with the tile work that was done to finish off the
concourses, all in bright Heat colors, and the floor to ceiling advertising murals on the
outside walls. There are several outdoor patios and balconies for the puffers. When you
take a step into the warm air outside, you will enjoy a great view, no matter which direction
you happen to look out on.
The Bowl
Here we were more impressed - the "Heat' colors radiate like fire throughout the seating scheme from yellow to orange to red and then black. High in each end zone are two
balconies which are opened only when the rest of the building is sold out. There is also a
ground level club concourse available to rhose holding club seats. On both of our visits
plenty of seats were available. The center scoreboard is a wonder - four sided video
panels capped by smaller eight sided dot matrix info panels, the ad panels, and lastly, a
tentacled sculpture in the shape of a sun which radiates light and special effects.
Concessions
On both levels are several nooks with seating areas and carveries offering sandwiches.
Otherwise nothing more than the standard ballpark dreck. The main team store is at the ground level of the main entrance.
Event Presentation
On our first visit we saw the Heat do a big pregame show with light, fire, dot matrix effects
and awesome music. It was pretty impressive to watch. What was really dumb, however,
was the prelude to the intro, in which some local weatherman kept coming on like some
newscast and advising of the weather front approaching Miami. They tried to make it look
real, but it was all part of the show, and really cheapened the whole thing.
Slam Dunks, Assists, Fouls
Slam Dunk - When visiting Miami, as we said, check out the marina next door to the
American Airlines Arena, and for other cool places to visit - we suggest Collins Ave in
South Beach and the A1A strip along Ft. Lauderdale Beach.
Assist - Built right into the arena is a practice court, but unfortunately, it is not accessible
or viewable by the general public. Still a nice set up though.
Assist - To Media Relations guys Tim Donavan and Rob Wilson for setting us up with an
interview with Hall of Famer and Miami Heat Assistant Coach Bob McAdoo. All went well
with the interview and it was a thrill to have the opportunity to meet one of the true icons
of Buffalo sports.
Foul - NO out of town scoreboard. NO announcement of scores. This is not a luxury or extra
in today's modern venue, IT IS A MUST!
Summary
Well we did come back, just to see if this place looked any better than the first time we
came here. We were disappointed, though, to see that nothing much has really changed.
This venue is high tech, unique in architecture and style, and reflects the Miami Heat
theme and colors in a very nice way. Yet the atrium and escalator towers, which should be
the signature of this building, are at the same time brightly floodlit and shabby gray, and
that does not work well when viewed close up.
However, there is one thing we REALLY like about the Miami Heat --- and that is our guy
BOB MCADOO working as their Assistant Coach. So we close with that familiar refrain
heard many a time at the Buffalo Braves games in the old Aud ----- "that's twooooo for Mc Adoooooooo!"
HEAT SUES SEAT HOLDERS, SPONSORS FOR NONPAYMENT
January 15, 2009
Copyright 2009 MediaVentures
Miami, Fla. - The Miami Heat is putting a full-court press on premium-seat holders and
sponsors it claims haven't paid up.
The Heat or affiliate Basketball Properties, which operates the American Airlines Arena, have
filed 16 lawsuits in the past year against companies and people they claim owe about $1.6 million - if not more. At least a few of the cases have been resolved.
The Heat has taken the most litigious approach among South Florida sports franchises to force
customers and clients to honor agreements. By comparison, the Florida Panthers and affiliate
Arena Operating Co., which operates Sunrise's 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 Miami Dolphins or Florida
Marlins in the past year.
The Heat declined to comment on its suits.
Royal West Properties, a Miami-based land developer, was sued in August for failing to pay
almost $41,547 for six seats in Loge Box No. 224 that cost more than $71,000 last season. Ronald
Fernandez, the company's lawyer, said the tough economy led to the dispute.
"My client is a service-based company and if money doesn't come in from the people who have
to pay, then its trouble," Fernandez said. "Nobody's getting paid. It's tough."
Royal West recently resolved the suit and kept its premium seats, Fernandez said. Asked if the
Heat changed the terms of the agreement, which ends after the 2009-2010 season, he replied,
"They did work with us." He wouldn't elaborate, however.
The Heat sued the Astri Group, the venture capital firm of convicted Pharmed owners Carlos
and Jorge de Cˇspedes, to collect $55,930 for four eighth-row courtside lounge seats. The suit
recently was settled "amicably and confidentially," said Isaac Mitrani, Astri's lawyer. "We no
longer have tickets."
The American Airlines Arena's latest financial results for the year ended June 30 don't reflect
today's troubling times.
Suite and premium-seating sales rose almost 7 percent to $22.7 million - representing half of
the arena's total revenue.
The arena turned a $6 million profit, compared with $6.1 million in 2007.
The team doesn't report its financial results, which include ticket sales, television revenue and
players' salaries.
Some of those being sued by the Heat are making an unusual defense for why they didn't pay
in full: The team was lousy last season. It finished with the NBA's worst record.
The team "failed to provide a product that it had advertised to the general public prior to
entering the agreement," says Fort Lauderdale resident Deborah Cremer in court documents filed
in response to a suit. She admits owing $19,175 on four seats in Loge Box No. 276 that cost about
$33,000 last season. (Miami Herald)
PHILIPS, AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENAS GO GREEN
April 9, 2009
Copyright 2009 MediaVentures
Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga. and the American Airlines Arena in Miami are the first arenas in
the U.S. that hosts an NHL or NBA team to meet federal environmental operating standards for
existing buildings.
Rutherford Seydel, one of the co-owners of the Hawks and Thrashers, said at a press conference
that the owners agreed to meet the standards with action such as installing new carpet with
recycled material, compact-fluorescent lamps and more recycling. Water conservation measures
have cut water usage by 2 million gallons over the past 11 months.
Building officials didn't say what the work cost, but they hope it will eventually be revenue neutral.
In Miami, the costs of the certification were low because the nearly 10-year-old building
already included many of the electricity - and water-saving features to earn Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design or LEED certification, such as underground parking that produces less
heat than above-ground asphalt lots.
They also believe that energy- and water-conserving systems cut costs 10-15 percent a year,
trimming about $500,000 off utility bills that now top $3 million a year.
The actions also helped the Miami arena sign Waste Management on as a sponsor. The firm
will work with the arena to improve and expand recycling programs.
HEAT ADDS CURTAIN MARQUEE TO ARENA
May 28, 2009
Copyright 2009 MediaVentures
Miami, Fla. - A 3,400-square-foot LED curtain marquee has been added to AmericanAirlines
Arena. The technology is a first for a sports venue in the United States.
The stainless steel mesh does not obstruct views from inside the arena. It is 3/4-inch thick and 70
percent transparent. It will replace banners that now promote Heat games and other arena events,
but will now be available to display advertising to the 65,000 cars that pass the building daily.
The marquee was installed by A2aMEDIA of Boston which says it is in talks to put similar
screens on other sports venues, hotels, shopping centers and other large buildings. The mesh uses
one-sixth of the power needed by a similar sized LED board.
ARENA GENERATES NO REVENUE FOR MIAMI
June 3, 2010
Copyright 2010 MediaVentures
Miami, Fla. - In the 10 years that American Airlines Arena has been open in Miami the city has
not earned any revenue from the venue.
Miami-Dade pays a $6.4 million annual operating subsidy to Heat entity Basketball Properties
Ltd., established to build, manage and operate the arena.
Under the 1997 contract, the county stands to gain a 40 percent share of arena net cash flow
above $14 million after other obligations are covered. It's unclear when, if ever, that might happen.
Before the county sees a share, money must first go toward arena operations and a capital
replacement reserve, amortizing arena construction costs and paying management fees. Any shortfall in covering those areas and the arena manager must advance the money - which
has happened.
There's still nearly $28.2 million in arena manager loans to go after paying down about $4.55 million in principal last year, fiscal 2009 financial statements show, as well as about $2.5 million in unpaid management fees and accrued interest.
The county can't see a penny until that's all paid back.
Financials show that arena operating expenses totaled about $30.6 million in fiscal 2009.
Revenue, including the county subsidy, reached about $52 million, netting about $21.5 million.
Subtracting $14.5 million for arena cost amortization left less than $7 million in excess net cash
flow, which went toward deductions for accrued interest and paying down some manager loan principal - leaving nothing in the pot of "arena distributable net cash flow."
VIOLATION NOTICE CONSIDERED FOR HEATÕS ARENA SIGN
July 7, 2011
Copyright 2011 MediaVentures
Miami, Fla. - State officials are considering issuing a notice of violation to the Miami Heat for advertising messages displayed on their LED sign outside AmericanAirlines Arena, the Miami Herald reported.
The newspaper said the high-tech sign, installed by the Heat to great fanfare in May 2009, has become the focus of a simmering battle over the recent proliferation of billboards, electronic ads and commercial banners in and around downtown Miami. Like the arena sign, many of them appear to violate state, federal or Miami-Dade County rules governing outdoor advertising.
The controversy over the sign also illustrates how overlapping signage rules and jurisdictions can sometimes produce contradictory decisions from different government agencies. The arena sign was OK'd by the city of Miami and the county, which owns the facility, although the state's decision may now trump both.
Barbara Bisno, a retired federal prosecutor and co-founder of Scenic Miami, a new group that opposes billboards, filed complaints with the county, whose sign ordinance applies to commercial signs inside city boundaries. The newspaper said she also complained to FDOT, which regulates billboards along Biscayne Boulevard because it's classified as a state and federal highway.
The issue with the AAA sign boils down to this: The Federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965, which controls outdoor advertising along federal roads to preserve urban and rural vistas, allows businesses to put up signs displaying their names and goods and services they sell on site. Signs advertising goods and services not provided on site - billboards - require a permit from FDOT, which enforces the federal rules under a 1972 compact with the U.S. government.
But the AAA mesh exceeds the maximum allowable size of 1,200 square feet, and thus does not qualify for such a permit, Garner said in an interview. Bisno, citing the sign's manufacturer, says it measures 3,360 square feet.
That doesn't mean the sign is likely to come down, Garner said. The simplest solution, he said, is for the Heat to stop displaying ads for goods and services unavailable at the arena.
But the Herald said that's a conclusion the Heat has been contesting. The team's attorney, Stephen Helfman, had been pushing the state to adopt a novel interpretation that he says recognizes how modern sports arenas operate. Because the providers of those advertised goods and services sponsor the Heat, concerts and other activities taking place inside the AAA, Helfman said, the mesh does not require a permit.
Helfman also said it was unfair of the state to target the arena because its sign was cleared by both the city and the county.
FOOD VENDORS MAY BE BANNED AROUND MIAMI ARENA
July 14, 2011
Copyright 2011 MediaVentures
Miami, Fla. - City of Miami commissioners are set to vote to rid the downtown neighborhood
surrounding the AmericanAirlines Arena of food vendors, who mostly serve fans of the Miami Heat, the Miami Herald reported.
The ordinance would take effect immediately, meaning no new permits will be issued. And those with current permits would have until the end of September when they expire. Vendors would still be allowed to operate on private property, but that would require obtaining a separate permit from the city, the newspaper said.
The reasons, city leaders and members of Miami's semi-autonomous Downtown Development Authority say, are numerous: Lack of cleanliness, competition with nearby restaurants, even danger to Heat patrons trying to get to crowded games.
"As new restaurants open up, there's really not a need for street vendors," DDA Executive Director Alyce Robertson told the Herald.
DDA members, whose goal is to promote business in the downtown area, voted this week to support the measure proposed by the city manager's office. The Heat supports it as well.
If commissioners approve the measure, it would only affect the 10 or so vendors currently permitted for the area. None are there now Š the Heat's preseason doesn't begin until October.
