Miami Heat, in D.C. for Sunday game, showed up at Audi Field to support Inter Miami
The Miami Heat, in town for a Sunday game against the Washington Wizards, decided to spend the off day supporting Inter Miami at its game against D.C. United at Audi Field.
Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler, both passionate soccer fans, and Miami native Udonis Haslem came up with the idea. Haslem is a diehard fan of all Miami teams and also had a special connection with D.C. United because its owner, Jason Levien, was his first agent.
Levien negotiated a $33 million contract for Haslem in 2005, and they have remained friends.
All 12 Heat players showed up for the game, got a tour of the stadium and met with the soccer players before the game. They watched from a suite next to the suite of Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas.
“Having a day off, I thought it would be a good idea to come over here together,” Haslem said. “A lot goes into winning basketball games, so a little team bonding is good, plus the relationship I have with D.C. United owner Jason Levin. He was my agent coming out of college, the first guy that represented me, and then Miami.
“What can I say about Miami? I always want to be a part of everything Miami, the culture, support something going on in Miami sports. It’s fairly new, but I’m Miami through and through and wanted to see what Inter Miami is all about. If it says Miami, for me to come watch a Miami team, support Jason, I get the best of both worlds.”
Dragic and Jimmy Butler, who is friends with Brazilian soccer star Neymar, were giving pointers to the other Heat players who are not as familiar with the sport.
“They’re teaching me things along the way as I watch,” Haslem said. “They are helping me understand the sport. All I know is, it moves fast, it’s pretty exciting, and I’m looking forward to it. Miami! Miami! Miami!”
Haslem said he enjoyed seeing another sport from behind the scenes.
“I always like to appreciate other guys’ craft, what guys to do get to where they are now, see their locker room, weight room. It’s cool the see everybody’s journey and how they get to the highest level of their sport.”
Locker rooms closed
Inter Miami decided to close its locker room after the game as a precaution to protect players from potential exposure to the coronavirus. Four major U.S. sports leagues — NBA, NHL, MLS and Major League Baseball — have been in discussions about restricting locker room access in recent days, according to an Associated Press report.
MLS allowed teams to close locker rooms without penalty if they so choose to protect against the virus. The post-match interviews were moved to the hallway outside the locker room.
Season Tickets Sold Out
Inter Miami season tickets for the inaugural 2020 season are sold out, the team announced on Friday night. They are taking $50 deposits to get on the wait list for 2021. Individual tickets are sold out for the home opener March 14 against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Limited seats are available for the March 21 match against the New York Red Bulls and the April 5 game against the Philadelphia Union.
Hot Toddies
Temperatures dipped into the low 40s during the match, and the wind chill made it feel even colder. In order to keep fans warm, the concession stands sold $13.50 hot chocolate with bourbon and hot chocolate with Bailey’s.
Academy scores
Meanwhile, back in Florida, the Inter Miami U-15 team beat Orlando City 4-2 and the U-19 team beat Orlando City 1-0.
This story was originally published March 7, 2020 at 6:01 PM.