The Miami Heat announced Tuesday that the team will continue without fans at AmericanAirlines Arena through at least the end of the month.
The Heat previously played their Dec. 11 home exhibition game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the absence of fans and had announced that, due to the coronavirus pandemic, there would be no fans in attendance for their Friday noon regular-season home opener against the Pelicans.
Tuesday’s update also means the team will not allow fans to be in attendance for the Dec. 29 and Dec. 30 home games against the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s lone visits of the season.
In a holiday greeting to season-ticket holders, the Heat sent out a message that read, “The end of next week will mark the beginning of a new year. Everyone in our organization welcomes the hope and optimism that in 2021, we will be together again, in a safe environment, watching Miami Heat basketball at the Heat’s house. Until that time comes, I will keep you informed as we prepare AmericanAirlines Arena for your safe and eventual return.”
The Heat’s approach remains, “to regularly evaluate the situation.”
The NBA will play a 72-game regular-season schedule, down from the typical 82, meaning that at least the first three of the Heat’s 36 home games will be played in the absence of fans.
Six of the NBA’s 30 teams will allow limited amounts of fans into their arenas for the start of the season, including the Orlando Magic, the Heat’s opponent in Wednesday’s season opener, with 4,000 to be admitted into the Amway Center.
Other teams allowing fans at the start of the season are the Cleveland Cavaliers (300), Pelicans (750), Utah Jazz (1,500), Toronto Raptors (in Tampa, 3,800) and Houston Rockets (4,500).
That makes the Heat the lone NBA team in Florida not yet allowing fans.
The Magic’s plan in Orlando includes social-distancing measures and other safeguards.
“The most important thing and priority for us as an organization going into this season is the health and safety of our fans, our players, our coaches our staff, and thus the reason for all these protocols and the many protocols that we’re following from the NBA,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said.
The Amway Center typically seats 18,846.
