Why some Heat season-ticket prices are going up. Also, an injury and All-Star Game update
The Miami Heat is in first place in the Eastern Conference and looks to be on track for a long playoff run, but the season-ticket renewal process for next season has already begun.
One noteworthy aspect of this year’s renewal process is that nearly half of Heat season-ticket holders will have their ticket prices go up next season. About 48 percent of accounts will see an increase ranging from 1 percent to nearly 20 percent than the price they’re paying this season based on factors such as seat location and account seniority.
The season-ticket prices for the other half of accounts will remain flat.
“Generally speaking, if a season-ticket member is seeing a price increase, it’s because their pricing has been frozen for years (either through multi-year renewals, or a pandemic price freeze or both), or because their seat price has been adjusted to reflect current market value,” a Heat spokesperson said to the Miami Herald.
In an email sent to season-ticket holders this week, Heat president of business operations Eric Woolworth wrote: “We want you to continue the ride with us into the playoffs and next season. Now is the time to renew your commitment for the 2022-23 season, which unlocks an array of perks and benefits.”
Woolworth added in the letter that Heat season tickets “are in high demand and currently sold out to new buyers. Our waiting list is growing, so I encourage you to maintain your seats and your membership benefits by renewing no later than the March 2nd, 2022 deadline.”
Those with questions are encouraged to contact their season-ticket membership representative at 786-777-1400 or SeasonTicketMemberships@HEAT.com.
ALL-STAR STARTERS ANNOUNCED
The starters for the Feb. 20 NBA All-Star Game were announced on Thursday night. As expected, no Heat players were on the list.
Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan and Atlanta’s Trae Young are the two Eastern Conference guards voted in as starters, with Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid as the three East frontcourt players who made the cut.
The Western Conference All-Star starters are Los Angeles’ LeBron James, Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Golden State’s Andrew Wiggins in the frontcourt, and Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Memphis’ Ja Morant in the backcourt.
Fans account for 50 percent of the vote to determine the 10 starters for the All-Star Game, which will take place at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. All current NBA players and a media panel account for 25 percent apiece of the vote, with every voter completing a ballot featuring two guards and three frontcourt players.
When the final count was calculated, Heat forward Jimmy Butler finished sixth and center Bam Adebayo finished eighth among East frontcourt players after taking the fan votes, player votes and media votes into account. Heat guards Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry placed 12th and 14th, respectively, among East backcourt players.
For a Heat player to make the All-Star Game this season, it will have to be as a reserve unless they’re elevated to a starting spot because of an injury to one of the selected starters. The conference coaches determine the seven reserves from each conference, which will be announced next Thursday at 7 p.m. on TNT.
The seven reserve spots include three frontcourt players, two guards and two additional players regardless of position.
It’s also worth noting that Heat coach Erik Spoelstra would be one of the two head coaches in the All-Star Game if it was determined following Thursday’s slate of games.
The two All-Star head coaches are chosen by a best-record scenario, meaning the coach of the teams that are first in their respective conference two weeks before the All-Star Game (games played through Feb. 6) earns the honor. A coach can’t participate two years in a row.
HEAT INJURY REPORT
Butler is listed as questionable for Friday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers at FTX Arena because of left big toe irritation. Butler finished Wednesday’s win over the New York Knicks with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes.
Along with the uncertainty surrounding Butler’s status, the Heat will remain without Lowry for a sixth straight game because of personal reasons. There’s no definitive timetable for Lowry’s return and the Heat has not issued an update on his status.
The Heat also ruled out Markieff Morris (return to competition reconditioning), KZ Okpala (right wrist sprain), Victor Oladipo (right knee injury recovery) and Chris Silva (ineligible to play as COVID-19 replacement) for Friday’s game.
This story was originally published January 27, 2022 at 3:59 PM.
