What a relief. Instead of David Stern and Billy Hunter co-starring in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” we get Mariah Carey singing and the Heat and Mavs playing in the traditional Christmas tripleheader.

What a surprise? Not really. Even as the NBA lockout was taking on an endless feel, the timing of the abrupt ending made perfect sense.

Christmas is when games start airing on ABC. That is when it would really start getting painful for the owners.

Continue reading "TV deal gave NBA incentive to settle lockout in time for Christmas" »

Listen up, NBA owners and players: Sports fans are getting along quite nicely without you.

That was the finding of a poll one week into the season that would have been if billionaires and millionaires weren’t squabbling over a couple of percentage points of the revenue split.

Continue reading "Poll: America not missing early-season NBA" »

Dwight Howard has attained the status of without peer among centers in the NBA. It seems the Orlando Magic star had to go all the way to Japan to find a worthy adversary: a 12-foot giraffe.

What, Godzilla was away on holiday?

Continue reading "Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard stuffs on giraffe to boost sneaker sales" »

Who is the most athletic owner in sports?

Michael Jordan showed it’s not even a debate as he provided an emphatic answer to a question about whether he can still dunk Monday during a fantasy camp for Charlotte Bobcats season-ticket holders.

Jordan made it look easy as he rose to the occasion for a smooth-as-silk right-hand jam.
Was there any doubt? So what that he is 48 with worn-out knees. He’s still His Airness.

Thanks to M.J., Bobcats’ fantasy camps may be more entertaining than their games. The account of his antics at Monday’s camp at Bobcats.com is the most entertaining item to be found on any NBA website with all references to current players removed during the lockout.

Continue reading "Michael Jordan dunks at Charlotte Bobcats fantasy camp with ease at 48" »

The Miami Heat and Kumho Tire USA are adding to the activities for fans at AmericanAirlines Arena.

The Kumho Fan Zone opened on AmericanAirlines Arena’s 300 level last week during the team’s game against the New York Knicks. A gaming wall includes four 60-inch HD-TVs, Sony Playstation and game software. Fans can compete with one another and participate in contests and giveaways. Kumho will also offer special snack deals at concession stands.

Check out the photo by David Alvarez of the Heat.

In other news, if you haven’t heard, I’m signing off from the Sports Business blog and beat at the Sun Sentinel. I’m headed for a new adventure, starting a career as a Foreign Service Officer working for the State Department overseas.

Thank you, dear readers for your support, comments, suggestions and most especially for reading. Please contine to follow me on Twitter where I’ll be a recovering sports business writer: @sarahtalalay

This time Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade’s super hero Agent D3 is late for practice in the second installment of Jordan Brand’s “Dominate Another Day” ad campaign.

Called “Escape,” the new ad shows Wade trapped in the Zen Master’s Lair, while ‘H’ (Kevin Hart) enjoys a holiday party. Instead of battling the streets of Miami as he did in the ad’s first installment, Wade uses a basketball to help fight enemies –- snakes, ninjas -- in the ad that gives nods to Indiana Jones and James Bond.

The new ad breaks during the Heat-Los Angeles Lakers Christmas Day game at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Miami Heat forward LeBron James is set to debut the newest version of Nike’s LeBron 8 on Christmas Day during the matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. This one, called Lebron 8 V/2, is a very bright red called “Run On Red,” but still features James’ signature lion face on the tongue.

The $160 shoes launch at retail on Dec. 26. Additional colors are to be released Jan. 8.

Meanwhile, James’ shoe isn’t the only brightly-colored shoe to debut on Saturday as part of Nike’s stoplight set.

Across the court from James, we’ll see Lakers guard Kobe Bryant sporting the Nike Zoom Kobe VI dubbed “Green Means Go.” The bright green shoe features red laces. The shoes cost $130 and will be at retail on Dec. 26.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant will sport the yellow shoes in the set. He’ll be showing off the KD III “No Yield for Yellow” in the Thunder’s game against the Denver Nuggets. This one includes five lightning bolts, piano keys representing Durant’s love of music, and “BF62” for Durant’s 62 points scored at Barry Farms in his native Washington, DC. Durant’s shoes cost $88.

In addition to those five NBA games on Christmas Day, fans watching the games on ESPN and ABC will be treated to a couple of new T-Mobile ads featuring Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Charles Barkley.

The entertaining and splashy ads keep giving. These are directed by Spike Lee and include appearances by Lee, Steve Nash and Cool and Dre. They target T-Mobile’s 4G devices.

Wade stars in one called “Outta Here,” in which a misunderstanding turns into a modern day version of “telephone” with the sports world suddenly believing Wade wants to be traded from the Heat. Gasp.

The other, called “Chuck’s Remix,” mixes some of Barkley’s commentary into a viral musical video sensation. Just imagine Barkley’s reaction.

ESPN is broadcasting its first NBA game in 3D tonight when the Miami Heat visit the New York Knicks.

ESPN 3D has carriage agreements with AT&T U-Verse, Comcast, DirecTV and Time Warner Cable and is available to about 62.5 million households.

It’s not the first 3D broadcast for the NBA, which broadcast NBA All-Star Saturday Night in Las Vegas in 2007 and in Phoenix in 2009 in 3D.

ESPN 3D is also broadcasting more upcoming NBA games, including the Christmas Day matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Knicks. Check out ESPN’s full 3D schedule here.

LeBron James hate is well-documented. So is the target on the backs of the Miami Heat – after all, Sports Illustrated included the team among its 25 Most Hated Teams of all time back in July, before James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh had even played a game together.

So it isn’t strange that a “Let’s Beat The Heat” campaign has emerged online (letsbeattheheat.com) complete with theme song, promotional products, and ring tone. This campaign, however, takes a playful approach to the Heat being the New York Yankees or Dallas Cowboys of the NBA.

Warren Avery and his brother Acarren, who run Avery Marketing, are behind “Let’s Beat The Heat.” Acarren Avery, you see, is a huge Chicago Bulls fan, who took it somewhat personally that both James and Wade seemed to toy with Bulls fans' hearts and spurned his hometown team for the Heat, his brother Warren says. Yes, the brothers believe there was inappropriate conspiring that went on to bring the Big Three to Miami and they hope to rally other like-minded NBA fans across the country.

“My brother turned to me and said, ‘we might have a market here, we’re not the only ones upset,’” Warren Avery said.

Continue reading "Bulls fans create Let’s Beat The Heat campaign (with video)" »

We’re already well aware of Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade’s fashion sense – he’s been applauded for it repeatedly and was included in Esquire's Style Blog last month.

Now Forbes has included Wade in its list of Best-Dressed Athletes that includes the likes of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, soccer star David Beckham, tennis stars Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones (who makes his own bow ties).

Wade’s teammate forward LeBron James also made the list.

As did Miami Dolphins limited partners and tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.

The Miami Heat’s “12 Days of Heat” holiday shopping experience kicks off today on the team’s brand new shop on Facebook.

Starting today, the special online shop will feature special deals and promotions that include game ticket giveaways and other items.The team is the first in the NBA to have a retail store on Facebook.

Visit facebook.com/MiamiHeat and click on the “shop” tab. Products are specially tailored to an online audience and include designs by Miami artist LEBO, whose paintings appear on the walls at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Whether you’re live at AmericanAirlines Arena or watching Miami Heat games on TV, you’ve likely noticed the new courtside digital signage that changes frequently and can be altered during games.

ANC Sports Enterprises, a sports marketing company specializing in signage, produces the technology the replaces static or rotational signage under the scorer’s and broadcaster’s tables courtside. The technology gives teams and sponsors more potential advertising inventory and allows them to tailor messages specifically to game results and statistics. For example, if a player records a triple double, a pizza parlor could advertise a two-pizza deal with three toppings, an ANC spokesman said.

“We are committed to providing our partners with different courtside signage options which create marketing opportunities based on each team’s objectives,” Jerry Cifarelli, ANC Sports president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “ANC’s state-of-the-art digital signage applications and patented software solutions generate new creative opportunities courtside while transforming the event experience throughout an arena.”

Continue reading "Miami Heat using digital courtside signage" »

As you might imagine, tickets for tonight’s Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics game at AmericanAirlines Arena are in demand much the way tickets to the Heat’s home opener against the Orlando Magic on Oct. 29 were.

StubHub reports tonight’s game is the most popular NBA game this week on the secondary -- or resale – ticket market.

The average price for tickets sold by resellers on StubHub.com for tonight’s game is $212 with a low price upstairs of $49. Of course, there was the courtside seat that sold for $9,000, the site reports. And there are still 125 tickets listed for sale on the site.

Continue reading "Heat tickets hot for tonight, not so much for Saturday" »

The Miami Heat continues to increase its social media presence through Facebook and Twitter and is offering a special $50 twHEATup ticket to four upcoming games.

The $50 ticket is in the 400 level at AmericanAirlines Arena and includes a T-shirt, Papa Johns arena pizza, and a postgame meet and greet with a Heat player.

The twHEATup games are Nov. 17 against the Phoenix Suns; Jan. 18 versus the Atlanta Hawks; Feb. 25 against the Washington Wizards; and March 16 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tickets are selling fast. Go to twheatup.com to purchase tickets, promotion code: twheat.

The team hosted its first-ever twHEATup during the playoffs this year that included a halftime meet and greet with Heat Dancers and a postgame meeting with Tim Hardaway.

Don't forget to follow me: @sarahtalalay

The Miami Heat kicks off "Saturday Night Jersey Night" tonight at the Heat-New Jersey Nets game by rewarding fans in Heat jerseys with a placard shaped like an album cover featuring forward Chris Bosh.

The album covers feature Bosh in his jersey on one side and Bosh in a suit on the other. The Jersey Night promotion, sponsored by adidas, rewards the album covers to fans sporting any type of Heat jersey and anyone who purchases a new Heat jersey Saturday at the Miami Hoops Gear store at AmericanAirlines Arena. Fans wearing Heat jerseys can pick up their album covers (one per fan while supplies last) outside section 102.

The album covers were Heat Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Michael McCullough's idea. McCullough has a voluminous collection of albums and decorates his office with the covers, changing them up periodically.

“This is the fourth year we’ve hosted the Saturday Night Jersey Night program presented by adidas, and we think fans will love this year’s gift, the HEAT player album covers,” McCullough said in a statement. “Having thousands of fans wearing HEAT jerseys creates an intense atmosphere of love and support inside AmericanAirlines Arena, which is noticed by and motivates our players. This initiative is another way to reward our HEAT fans for their loyalty.”

The promotion offers a different player album cover at each Saturday night home game. The schedule going forward: Nov. 13, Udonis Haslem; Dec. 4, LeBron James; Jan. 1, Dwyane Wade; Jan. 22, Mario Chalmers; March 12, Carlos Arroyo; March 19, Mike Miller.

Add yet another talent to DJ Irie’s bursting resume. The DJ for the Miami Heat and for nightclubs and private events, DJ Irie has partnered with Fort Lauderdale-based Levinson Jewelers on a jewelry line called “Peace thru Music.” Irie will also serve as one of Levinson’s celebrity ambassadors.

“Peace thru Music” features a peace sign pendant on a black or white leather cord and a black and white bracelet with the same “Peace thru Music” charm. Both cost $395 with proceeds benefiting the big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami-Dade.

“I’m honored to be the brand ambassador for the luxury jeweler, Levinson on Las Olas," DJ Irie said in a statement. "Mark & Robin Levinson have been exceptional friends over the years and now I am so excited that we have designed the “Peace thru Music” jewelry line for those who are stylish and believe in giving back."

The line will be sold at Levinson Jewelers and through djirie.com. A launch event will be held at Levinson Jewelers on Nov. 16.

The Miami Heat’s highly-anticipated home opener against the Orlando Magic at AmericanAirlines Arena on Friday is expected to have a little bit of everything. As a result, the team is encouraging fans to arrive early to avoid traffic and a protest rally planned nearby the arena on Biscayne Boulevard by Miami police and firefighters upset about paycuts.

Black is back. Again. The team wants fans clad in black and is giving out 20,000 black “I. Was. There.” T-shirts (courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines) and commemorative programs. (“Yes. We. Did.” was the slogan for the team pulling off the free agency bonanza in getting LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade on the Heat. The team handed out “Yes. We. Did.” signs at the welcoming event July 9).

“Wear black or shop black,” said Andy Montero, the Heat’s senior director of retail operations.

Merchandise: A merchandise tent – typically reserved for the playoffs – is expected to open for business in front of the arena at 3 p.m. Gates to the arena’s east plaza open at 5:30 p.m. for the T-Mobile Tip-Off celebration. T-Mobile, which just entered into a multi-year sponsorship deal with the Heat (it has had a partnership with Wade since the 2006-07 season), is holding a pregame celebration on the plaza for fans with game tickets that includes a performance by Miami rapper Pitbull. DJ Irie and the Heat dancers will entertain and T-Mobile will show off its newest smartphones.

Tickets/Doors/Pregame: Tickets are still available at heat.com. Doors to the arena open early -- 6 p.m. Security could take longer because of the large crowd, but fans can enter at Gates 5 and 6 on the northeast and southeast sides of the arena – not just Gates 1 and 2. Even fans sitting upstairs can go courtside pregame to watch the teams warm up.

Get a Heat license plate: A kiosk outside section 102 will allow fans to purchase or renew their license plates with specialty Heat tags. The tags costs an extra $25, which is tax deductible and goes to charity. To get the license plates, you must have a driver’s license, proof of registration and insurance and cash or check.

Fan Up, Miami!: Fans are being encouraged to get to their seats in time for pregame ceremonies, which will include the debut of the team’s new player introduction video. Read about it here. At halftime, a video highlighting the summer’s events will be shown. A new song celebrating the new-look Heat, called “Celebrate” and written by Emilio Estefan will be officially unveiled. Estefan has created a percussion group called the Miami Heat Rhythm Section to perform at select games. Listen to the song here.

Oh, and there’s a game too. Starts at 8 p.m. on ESPN and Sun Sports.

The new LeBronJames.com is up and running. Launched Tuesday night, in time for the start of the highly-anticipated 2010-11 NBA season, the site offers information on the new Miami Heat forward’s Ohio background, basketball, training, lifestyle and community and charitable activities. It’s got great illustrations and plenty of photos and videos and even his music playlists.

“This website is very important to me, and I had a lot of ideas and provided feedback every step of the way,” James said in a statement. “My goal was to create a site that stands out visually and provides useful and interesting content. I am very excited to give my fans the opportunity to learn about my life both on and off the court, and to offer them tips on how to live a healthy, active life and give back to their community in different ways.”

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade’s new Jordan Brand commercial is decidedly different from new teammate LeBron James’ new Nike ad.

“Dominate Another Day” shows Wade as super hero Agent D3 starting his quest for another NBA championship. “Time to bring the rings back to Miami,” he says. With Miami as his backdrop, he flies through the air, he rides a motorcycle and defies all sorts of obstacles.

(The ad is not for a specific shoe -- in case you're wondering, Wade is wearing the Jordan 2010 Team shoe to start the season).

It's an installment in a season-long campaign. The ad ends with: To be continued….

A new Nike ad featuring Miami Heat forward LeBron James called “Rise” begins airing Tuesday night in conjunction with the start of the 2010-11 NBA season and the launch of the Nike LeBron 8 shoe at retail.

James is shown in a variety of situations, speaking his mind about his controversial decision this summer to join the Heat and his future. It even includes a segment with Don Johnson a la “Miami Vice” and features James saying “I am not a role model.”

The ad will air during TNT’s broadcast of the Heat’s highly-anticipated opening game against the Boston Celtics and during sports and entertainment programming across national networks into next month.

Way out of my league here – in sneaker culture -- but check out the newest Sn’eads by Ree comic strip titled “South Beach Player.” It’s the work of Tyree Dillihay, sneakerhead comic, and features the Miami Heat's LeBron James and D Wade and is so current it includes Wade’s sore hamstring and the South Beach edition of the Nike LeBron 8 shoe.

Check out the full strip on nicekicks.com and sneakerobsession.com.

As if any more build up were needed before this highly-anticipated Miami Heat season, the team is keeping with tradition hosting community events and giveaways leading up the 2010-11 home opener Oct. 29.

Heat Week kicks off Friday with a free Heat car decal giveaway at AmericanAirlines Arena. For more information, visit heat.com. Here’s what’s scheduled this week:

Friday: Heat car decal giveaway from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at AmericanAirlines Arena, while supplies last.
Then join the Heat for Happy Hour, 5 to 7 p.m. at Brickell Irish Pub, 1471 S. Miami Ave., Miami, along with Burnie the Heat mascot, Heat dancers and the Xtreme team.

Saturday: Feel like a pizza? Order from Papa John’s in Broward or Miami-Dade counites between 5 and 7 p.m. and you might just get it delivered by a Heat player, dancer, Burnie or Xtreme team member.

Sunday: The Heat’s Fireball Express bearing giveaways will visit local bars in downtown Miami starting at 4 p.m.

Monday: Fans 18 years or older can participate in a pickup basketball game at AmericanAirlines Arena during Heat After Dark, 7 p.m. to midnight. It’s free and participants get a Heat After Dark T-shirt.

Tuesday: Join other fans for the Bacardi Road Rally at AmericanAirlines to watch the Heat’s opening game against the Boston Celtics on the road. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and is free, but parking in the arena lot costs $5.

Wednesday: Watch the Heat’s second game of the season against the 76ers at the Bacardi Road Rally at Sandbar Sports Grill starting at 7 p.m., 3064 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove.

Oct. 28: Burnie will be giving out free tickets to the team’s home opener on Oct. 29 at AmericanAirlines Arena at various spots around South Florida. You’ll get clues to his location by being a friend on Facebook and checking out details at Facebook.com/MiamiHeat.

Oct. 29: The home opener against the Orlando Magic will include commemorative game programs and 20,000 “I. Was. There.” T-shirts for those in attendance. And the debut of the team’s new player introduction video. The game begins at 8 p.m., but doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the Heat’s encouraging fans to arrive early.

It’s not exactly a secret that South Florida sports fans are a little lax about arriving for the start of games.

Late-arriving crowds are the norm at Miami Heat games and the team has tried for years to coax fans into their seats in time for tipoff with little success. But the team’s blockbuster free agency spoils this summer has given it new impetus to try again.

The team launches “Fan Up, Miami!” at tonight’s exhibition game against the Charlotte Bobcats at AmericanAirlines Arena. The idea is to remind fans the new-look Heat is the kind of team most cities – despite their griping – would be thrilled to have. Rather than letting television viewers see empty seats, the Heat want fans occupying those chairs.

“We want to understand, especially now, why any fan would want to miss even a second of action that could take place with this team in place,” said Michael McCullough, Heat executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

Just like the players are using the target on their backs as motivation, so, too, should fans, McCullough says.

"There are a bunch of media and commentators and fans around the country making comments about Miami not deserving this windfall of players, that if this would have happened in Chicago or New York, that would have been more fitting,” McCullough said. “We took offense at that. We want our fans to take offense as well.”

Tickets to see the Heat play other NBA teams around the country are among the highest priced on the secondary market, so the Heat want its fans to show they are deserving of this team.

“We want our fans to wear this as a badge,” McCullough said. “The organization stepped up and put a team together that every other team wants. Let’s show we’re worthy.”

The team is using that criticism to encourage fans to arrive early – you can watch the teams warm up courtside before the game, even if you’re sitting upstairs -- and exit the bars and balconies (they’ll help by putting drinks and snacks in to-go cups and containers) early enough to get to their seats on time.

Among the tenets of Fan Up, Miami: “Fan Up… means being in your seat for tipoff … and staying there until the final buzzer.”

Other admonishments? “Fan Up … means there is nothing fashionable about showing up fashionably late… it’s just late.”

Fans arriving early will be rewarded with discount cards (like the one above) good for merchandise and concessions. Fans in the arena concourses and clubs will notice the sound getting louder as game time approaches.

“We want to get the message across, it’s time for game time,” McCullough said. “Right when that ball goes up, something’s going to happen right away. That’s really the message.”

New Miami Heat forward LeBron James will launch his new signature Nike shoe, the LeBron 8, at the opening of a new House of Hoops by Foot Locker Store at Miami's Dadeland Mall on Saturday.

James will be speaking to 100 local student athletes about preparing for the upcoming season, his new shoe, and of course, "achieving success on the basketball court," a release on the appearance states. After his talk, James will debut a South Beach edition of the LeBron 8. (Previously referred to as the Pre-Heat LeBron 8, the shoe is decidedly South Beach with aqua and pink).

The appearance is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. at House of Hoops by Foot Locker at Dadeland Mall, 7535 Dadeland Mall. There will be only limited access to the public while the event with James is occurring.

The non-South Beach edition -- that's red and black -- is scheduled to be released at retail on Oct. 26. The shoe costs $160.

Superstar Miami Heat forward LeBron James can add yet another unusual accolade to his resume: Fortune Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Most Influential People in Business.

James, 25, is the only athlete to appear on the list – now in its second year – and is ranked 20th. The list is topped by Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape, Opsware and other software companies; and includes the likes of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg; Twitter founders Evan Williams and Biz Stone; and Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page.

Fortune describes the list as “youthful movers and shakers. They're innovating, they're expanding, and they're not really thinking about the recession.”

James, who is new to the list this year, was singled out for being able to “stop the pulse of a country,” with his nationally broadcast “Decision” to join the Miami Heat this summer. The magazine says James’ LRMR has brokered business deals with blue chip companies and Sports Illustrated places him fourth among top-grossing athletes with an estimated $42.4 million this year.

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh is racking up endorsement deals. He’s become the newest Brand Ambassador for Warren Henry Automobiles, joining Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who was added to the company’s roster in August.

Bosh will appear in ads and make appearances on behalf of the company. He is already driving a 2011 Land Rover Range Rover from Warren Henry, which he dubbed “the ultimate in sport-utility luxury.”

“I am very excited to partner with Warren and his family of dealerships,” Bosh said in a statement.

Added owner Warren Henry Zinn, “Adding Chris Bosh to the Warren Henry Automotive team is synonymous with winning. Chris brings an element of prestige, excitement and unbeatable success that can’t be matched.” (See photo of Bosh and Zinn, courtesy of Warren Henry).

Legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula is also an ambassador for the company. Over the years, Warren Henry has partnered with a number of South Florida athletes, including Heat guard Dwyane Wade, Dolphins running back Ricky Williams and speedskater Jennifer Rodriguez.

New team, new season, new shoe.

The Nike Air Max LEBRON 8 – Miami Heat forward LeBron James’ newest signature shoe is scheduled to be in stores Oct. 26.

It’s built on a basketball specific Max Air 360 unit, but “is classically crafted and modeled after the shell of a dress shoe,” so says a release describing the shoe.

The black, white and red shoe features a multi-directional herringbone pattern and the lion’s face on the tongue “represents LeBron’s ravenous nature – like that of a hunter on the basketball court. And the numbers 828 are for the 82 regular season NBA games and 28 playoff games.

The shoes cost $160.

The shoe’s design is expected to be adjusted during the season, according to LEBRON 8 designer Jason Petrie. Watch a video of Petrie describing the shoe below. Not sure I’ve ever heard a shoe described so lusciously:

Continuing to show his varied contacts and business relationships, superstar Miami Heat forward LeBron James has partnered with Dr. Dre on a new series of headphones aimed at sports enthusiasts and athletes.

“PowerBeats by Dr. Dre” are performance headphones designed to allow active people to get good music quality while they’re busy exercising and playing sports. They feature an adjustable bendable ear hook with a flexible arm to keep the headphones in place while exercising.

James and Dr. Dre are friends – they were at Fenway Park together at the Boston Red Sox home opener this year – and often work out together. James wears Dr. Dre’s high-end headphones during pregame warmups, as do other NBA players. (Watch a video below about the collaboration showing James and Dr. Dre and their trainer -- there's even some poking fun at James' "The Decision" press conference).

“Music has always been an important part of my life and a crucial element of my training regime. It helps me achieve a higher level of focus that ultimately helps me win,” James said in a statement. “I needed a headphone that would fit securely while working out, but it had to have the best sound quality. I know my friends and fellow professional athletes will love PowerBeats as much as I do.”

Dr. Dre added, “We worked with LeBron to make sure these would be the ultimate headphones for athletes. I'm always about the performance, the sound, and LeBron brought what he needed in terms of function to the table. I've been wearing the prototype for Powerbeats in the gym every day for the last few months so I can honestly say they're the best headphones for working out.”

Beats Electronics was founded by Dr. Dre and Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine in 2006. The company partnered with audio-video accessory company Monster in 2008 to develop the Beats by Dr. Dre line of headphones.

PowerBeats by Dr. Dre, which can be ordered here are expected to be available at Best Buy in mid-October for $169.95. And they come in red, black and white. Heat colors, natch. Actually, the colors are just a coincidence, I'm told, because they're trendy.

A carriage dispute between Dish Network and Fox could result in South Florida Dish Network customers missing Miami Heat games, which begin airing on Fox-owned Sun Sports on Tuesday with the team’s first preseason game against the Detroit Pistons.

If a new carriage agreement is not reached by midnight Thursday, Dish Network customers will lose access to Sun Sports and Fox Sports Florida.

The also means Orlando Magic games -- and the debut of the team’s brand new Amway Center – would be missing for Dish Network customers in central and northern Florida. Oh, and Florida Marlins fans with the Dish Network could miss the team’s final homestand of the 2010 season on Fox Sports Florida this weekend, too. Same goes for the Rays' final series on Sun Sports.

There’s still time for a resolution, but the fight’s gotten nasty enough that Fox is placing ads in area newspapers Thursday about the dispute and directing fans to a website for details called getwhatipaidfor.com. The site explains the issues from Fox’s point of view.

Fox says it has made numerous proposals on subscriber fees, but Dish has not agreed to any of them.

Tuesday’s Heat preseason game is being aired nationally on NBA TV, but is blacked out per NBA rules in South Florida, where Sun Sports will be airing it exclusively.

Individual tickets to see the new-look Miami Heat go on sale to the general public starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, the team announced today.

There will be a four-ticket limit for each game and tickets can be purchased at Heat.com, ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX. Tickets will not be sold at AmericanAirlines Arena's ticket office on Tuesday, but will be available thereafter. Ticketmaster retail outlets will begin selling tickets on Thursday. Tickets start at $10, but vary depending on location and opponent.

For example, tickets in the front rows of the 400 level of AmericanAirlines Arena are running $167 ($150 for the ticket and $17 for fees) for the home opener against the Orlando Magic on Oct. 29. Seats for the Heat versus the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 15 in the 400 level are $88 ($75 for the ticket and $13 in fees).

Most of the seats are in the 400 level, but some scattered singles may be available in other locations throughout the arena. The team is encouraging fans to purchase tickets early, as prices are likely to rise closer to the games. It is also possible that some tickets may be available on game days, depending on whether tickets are returned by the opposing team.

There will be some tickets available to all home games, because the team held back some seats, even as it sold out its season ticket inventory and gave season ticket holders, those on the "Heat Hopefuls" season ticket waiting list, and on a LiveWire email database first crack at individual game tickets this week.

Meanwhile, you can already buy individual tickets on the Sun Sentinel's ticket broker site here.

Individual game tickets to see the new-look Miami Heat are expected to go on sale next week – the team has yet to release the date – but season ticket holders and others are getting a first crack at the coveted tickets this week.

Season ticket holders, followed by fans on the team’s season ticket “Heat Hopefuls” waiting list and then those from a LiveWire email database are each getting a 10-hour window in which to purchase individual game tickets ahead of the general public.

There are only a limited number of tickets available and the price varies depending on the location and opponent.

And they are not inexpensive. For example, tickets in the front rows of the 400 level of AmericanAirlines Arena are running $167 ($150 for the ticket and $17 for fees) for the home opener against the Orlando Magic on Oct. 29. That’s the high end, obviously. You can catch the Heat versus the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 15 in the 400 level for $88 ($75 for the ticket and $13 in fees).

Should know about general public on sale date soon.

Meanwhile, you can already buy individual tickets on the Sun Sentinel's ticket broker site here.

Beber Silverstein Group has used the iconic thought bubbles on its Coral Way office façade to promote its marketing and advertising business with a variety of messages that reflect current events, fund-raising for natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, holidays, and even its Twitter feed @thinkbsg.

For example, a holiday one in 2009 read “Madoff is in Prison, Healthcare is in Debate. 2009 is almost over… Happier Holidays, from Beber Silverstein.”

Since last month, BSG has been using the Miami Heat’s offseason acquisitions of LeBron James and Chris Bosh joining Dwyane Wade to gain attention.

One bubble says “If you had Wade, Bosh & James on your team, you could sell out without advertising” and the other points out “But you don’t, so call 305-856-9800."

A clever message considering the Heat sold out its season ticket inventory hours before James even announced he was definitely coming to Miami.

“We’ve certainly gotten a lot of attention to it. More compliments than on any in a while,” said Joe Perz, the company’s executive vice president, creative director. “I like that it was a little arrogant. Everybody was talking about the dream team coming here.”

The bubbles have also spurred some business, Perz said.

The company changes the message every few months, which isn’t easy to do these days. In the era of digital signage and laser printing, BSG still has the signs hand-painted by a Miami man who works from a cherry-picker and only on weekends.

Mike LaMonica, BSG’s senior vice president business development and director of social media, says the company has become known for its bubbles, which were started in the early 1990s.

“Our clients love them. Prospects who come and visit us love them,” LaMonica said. “People who drive by love them. We’ve gotten many compliments on our Facebook page, on our Twitter page. I’ve gotten many phone calls with compliments, also many phone calls with submissions. I’ve also gotten many phone calls from people who wanted to advertise there.”

The company has yet to allow anyone else to advertise there or taken submissions, although it might consider submitted suggestions in the future, LaMonica said.

Add new Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the list of famous Warren Henry Automobiles spokesmen.

Marshall’s now an “Official Brand Manager” for the luxury car dealerships, meaning he’ll appear in ads and will make appearances for the company. He’s also driving a new gray 2011 Jaguar XJ from Warren Henry Jaguar in Miami. (See Marshall above with a 2011 Jaguar XJ, photo courtesy of Warren Henry).

“I am thrilled to partner with Warren and his family of dealerships,” Marshall said in a statement. “The Jaguar XJ that I am now driving is super hot, super charged and I can’t wait to ‘Unleash the Best.’”

Over the years, Warren Henry has partnered with a number of South Florida athletes, including Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, Dolphins running back Ricky Williams and speedskater Jennifer Rodriguez.

Students at Miramar Elementary got a special star-studded welcome back to school on Monday morning.

Miami Heat center Dexter Pittman and guards Kenny Hasbrouck and Patrick Beverley helped Heat sponsor Office Depot distribute some 900 backpacks filled with school supplies.

In a rare convergence of sponsorees, the event also included the No. 14 Office Depot show car. The Boca Raton office supply company is also a co-primary sponsor of NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart's No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet. Stewart wasn't at the school this morning, but he did carry the Back to School paint scheme on his car in Chicago in July.

Hasbrouck checked out the inside of Smoke's car this morning. Photos courtesy of Office Depot. Above, PIttman helps hand out supplies.

The players addressed the students during morning announcements and the Heat Dancers, Xtreme Team and Burnie the Heat mascot were also in attendance.

Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh has hit the big-time: he’s featured in his own Got Milk? ad.

In the Body by Milk campaign, Bosh is wearing his USA Basketball uniform sporting the signature milk mustache, but he’s pitching the health benefits of chocolate milk.

It’s part of milk’s “Refuel America” program that seeks to inform the public about the benefits of “refueling” during the two hours after exercising. Lowfat chocolate milk has the components to help rebuild what exercisers lose during their workouts, the campaign says.

"Lowfat chocolate milk is an important part of my recovery plan – plus it tastes great," Bosh said in a statement. "I'm excited to be part of this important campaign to help teach athletes the importance of fitness and nutrition, and how drinking chocolate milk can help them refuel after exercise."

Learn more and see behind the scenes photos from the ad shoot here.

The Milk deal is a huge boost for Bosh’s marketing portfolio. He didn’t get nearly as much exposure when he played for the Toronto Raptors. Apparently, he’s fielding a lot of offers from potential sponsors these days.

OK, several hot tickets. Not exactly a newsflash here, but with the full NBA schedule now released, there’s even more evidence of what a popular ticket the Three Kings-led Miami Heat have become.

According to ticket search engine, FanSnap.com, the average ticket price on the secondary market for last year’s Heat home opener against the New York Knicks at AmericanAirlines Arena was $116.

This year’s Oct. 29 opener versus the Orlando Magic? Try $805.

The website says the average price for the highly-anticipated Christmas Day matchup when the Heat travel to Los Angeles to take on the reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers is already at $717. And the team’s season opener at the Boston Celtics on Oct. 26 is averaging $545 a ticket.

Returning Miami Heat guard Carlos Arroyo has his own theme music accompaniment at AmericanAirlines Arena – El Gran Combo’s “Fiesta de Pilito.”

Now he has a new single out with reggaeton recording artist and fellow Puerto Rican, Yomo. You can listen to the song called “Se va Conmigo” (“She comes with me”) below and purchase it at iTunes.

You can also watch a photo shoot of the pair here.

Arroyo, who is a reggaeton fan, released “Oculto Secreto” (“Hidden Secret”) last year – you can watch it here.

+ With the release of the full NBA schedule today, the Heat has just 29 nationally televised games this season. The team can have a maximum of 34 on national TV. Fans can vote on NBA.com for games they want to see broadcast nationally on “Fan Night” – Tuesdays on NBA TV.

+ And with the release of their schedule, the Heat reminded that fans still seeking season tickets for the 2010-11 season, can sign up for the Heat Hopefuls Waiting List for a non-refundable $100 per seat. Those on the waiting list will be given the first shot at partial season ticket plans. Email seasons@heat.com or visit heat.com. Details of the plans are scheduled to be released next week.

+ And according to TMZ.com, LeBron James has sought business assistance from a higher power. The website carries an exclusive photo of James meeting “today with Rabbi Yishayahu Yosef Pinto, ... a man known around New York as the 'Rabbi to the Business Stars.'" Sources told the website James consulted Pinto for guidance on business matters relating to some merchandising deals.

+ Perhaps it’s not enough these days to live like a “king” in a Miami hotel. Kimpton’s EPIC Hotel is getting in on the excitement of new-look Miami Heat, offering “king-sized savings” as well as “king-sized accommodations” to season ticket holders. Season ticket holders, who book through heat.com can take advantage of the savings during the 2010-11 season, and receive a free appetizer at the hotel’s Area 31 restaurant, and a complimentary upgrade when available with proof of season ticket holder status. EPIC, at 270 Biscayne Blvd., and not far from AmericanAirlines Arena, has 13 rooms featuring extra-long beds for its especially tall visitors. I’m told that even those season ticket holders who live nearby might want to take advantage of the offer. And if you’re not a season ticket holder, you can also book through the Heat’s website for 20 percent off the best available rate.

+ More on the business of the Three Kings: A little late, but here’s a link to a radio interview I did on the business of the new-look Heat with Greg Linnelli at Fox Sports Radio WBGG-970-AM in Pittsburgh. The interview starts after the commercials.

+ As Dallas gears up for the 2011 Super Bowl next year, two South Florida businesses that got contracts from the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee are being recognized in Texas for being part of the Super Bowl’s Emerging Business program, which gives a boost to local small, minority- and women-owned businesses: Coral Springs printing company TypeStyles Inc., and McCray’s II Backyard BBQ in West Palm Beach. Read more here.

+ Love this ode to junk food from Sunday’s New York Times, with stadium staple Cracker Jack being first on the list. I’m not sure the Big Gulp qualifies, but in my book, a Slurpee definitely does.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @sarahtalalay

Since ESPN's Outside the Lines’ exhaustive report on food vendor safety at North America’s 107 pro sports venues was released last weekend, the Miami Dolphins and the Miami Heat have sent letters to their season ticket holders ensuring their venues’ food is safe.

Executives from both the Miami Dolphins and AmericanAirlines Arena took pains to point out what they say are inaccuracies in the ESPN report. Despite scoring among the worst percentages of vendors with “critical violations” in the report, the executives say none of their vendors failed any of their inspection tests and none was shut down.

Our followup on the ESPN report, which you can read here, detailed the state of Florida’s strict food safety inspection standards and assured that none of the concessions stands at South Florida’s three venues – including BankAtlantic Center – had failed inspection tests.

The Dolphins called the reports “misleading and inaccurate.” Calling the report and subsequent stories “inflammatory,” Dolphins CEO Mike Dee said Sun Life Stadium has passed all of its inspections and its food is safe.

The Dolphins' note also included a link to a letter from Centerplate, the concessionaire at both Sun Life Stadium and BankAtlantic Center.

AmericanAirlines Arena pointed out – just as we did – that their violations were not related to food preparation, but had to do with equipment issues, such as wiring, and all were fixed immediately. “Fans can be assured that when they visit our venue for a sporting or entertainment event, all of the food is prepared within the cleanest, safest environment possible,” the note said.

Read the full AmericanAirlines Arena letter from arena general manager Kim Stone, here.

Since agreeing to join Dwyane Wade and LeBron James on the Miami Heat, Chris Bosh has been a busy man. Just this week alone, he’s appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and helped ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

You can watch his Late Night segments, including one in which Fallon tries to shoot baskets over the 6 foot 10 forward, here.

This morning he joined executives from After-School All-Stars to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. After-School All-Stars, founded in 1992 by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, raises money for after-school enrichment programs for at-risk kids in 13 cities.

Bosh was recently named a celebrity ambassador for After-School All-Stars, and he joins an “All-Star” group that also includes new teammate LeBron James. Bosh has pledged $20 to the organization for every rebound he records this NBA season.

Bosh is no stranger to publicity. He appears to relish it. He tweets from @chrisbosh, has his own channel on YouTube.com and you may recall the campaign he launched to get himself to the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans. Check out one of those campaign ads here:

And don’t forget to follow me: @sarahtalalay

Florida's pro sports venues -- particularly those in South Florida -- scored record high numbers of food vendor safety violations, according to ESPN's Outside the Lines’ exhaustive report that examined the health inspection records of all 107 pro sports venues in North America.

Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins and University of Miami Hurricanes; and AmericanAirlines Arena, the Miami Heat’s home, were tied for third worst with 93 percent of vendors scoring critical violations.

Only St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Washington D.C.’s Verizon Center, which is home to the Washington Wizards and Capitals, scored worse. Both showed 100 percent of vendors with critical violations.

An excerpt from the inspection report for Sun Life Stadium says: In June 2009, an employee complained anonymously that small insects and other debris were blended into frozen alcoholic beverages at a stand where equipment wasn't being cleaned. When inspectors checked, they issued a critical violation for a buildup of slime inside the frozen drinks machine.

Centerplate, the stadium's food concessionaire released the following statement:

"Centerplate takes the topic of food safety and the well-being of our fans seriously, and works with the local health department to actively manage safe food service operations. Employees are trained and operations are routinely inspected to ensure that they meet standards for safe operation. Any deficiencies that are identified during the course of an inspection are immediately corrected, usually in the presence of the inspector," Bob Pascal, Centerplate senior vice president of marketing, said in a statement.

"The Florida state health department system has a rigorous and stringent approach to inspections, and evaluates stadiums based on whether they have met standards for safe operation--which Sun Life Stadium has done in 100% of its inspection reports for 2009 (ESPN's sample) and to-date in 2010."

The stadium, too, addressed concerns fans might have:

"It is important to note that the stadium has passed every health and safety inspection," Todd Boyan, the stadium's senior vice president of operations, said in a statement. "In fact, because the State of Florida is more strict than most states and demands more detailed and frequent testing, the stadium and its concessionaire are required to be more publicly diligent in meeting safety requirements. Any past inspection infraction has been corrected and we expect our concessionaire to meet every health and safety recommendation made by the appropriate local and state inspectors. Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety, and entertainment experience at Sun Life Stadium."

Meanwhile, the AmericanAirlines Arena report says: Critical violations included several safety issues related to electrical wiring and such equipment as gas boilers.

Just 67 percent of the vendors at the Florida Panthers' BankAtlantic Center recorded critical violations. The report said: Inspectors issued several violations for soiled ice bins and coolers.

Read ESPN’s full venue rundown.

According to the report, Florida’s venues “scored among the worst when it came to violations cited by inspectors. Inspections are performed by a state agency, and officials say that makes their standards more uniform and stringent.”

The first time the public saw LeBron James and Chris Bosh in their new Miami Heat uniforms was during the Heat’s welcoming party at AmericanAirlines Arena on July 9.

Next month, Panini America, the exclusive manufacturer of NBA trading cards, will release the first basketball trading cards featuring the pair in their new unis, Panini marketing manager Scott Prusha says. The limited edition cards – there will be just 500 of the first cards made – will be inserted randomly into special 50-card sets available only to visitors to the National Sports Collectors Convention from Aug. 4-8 in Baltimore.

Visitors have a chance at the cards if they stop by the Panini booth at the Baltimore Convention Center to open card packs. They’ll then receive the special sets that are also to include Heat guard Dwyane Wade as well as other NBA, NFL, NHL and college baseball players, Prusha said.

Obviously, Panini, which also has a partnership with the Heat, will be making other James cards in the future, but the ones released at the 31st National Sports Collectors Convention will be the first.

When Dwyane Wade appeared on the Tonight Show on Monday, Jay Leno asked if the Miami Heat guard had any pregame rituals.

Wade, who’d already performed his “kiddie rap,” revealed that his rituals all revolve around his number, 3, which he wears for “the holy trinity.”

“I try to do everything in threes before the game,” Wade said. “I do three pull ups on the rim, trying to work on my physique as well.”

Then he added: “I chew three pieces of gum.”

Naturally, Leno asked whether it had to be a specific kind.

“Big Red,” Wade replied and then made a face to demonstrate the punch the cinnamon gum provides.

“You know you just got a free case,” Leno said.

How about a locker?

“We were ecstatic to hear Dwyane Wade chews Big Red as part of his pre-game ritual, especially since we don’t have a formal relationship with him,” a Wrigley spokesperson told me. “It’s not every day that we learn a superstar like D-Wade chews our gum before every game, so we’ll be sure to thank him with a locker full of Big Red.”

Wrigley does not have an endorsement or sponsorship deal with Wade. It has previously had agreements with the NBA and sponsored the New Jersey Nets’ off-season in 2008.

Wade went on to explain that he drinks three different types of Gatorade before, during and after games to stay hydrated. Wade’s already got a deal with Gatorade.

They left millions of dollars on the table to sign with the Miami Heat, but LeBron James and Dwyane Wade made the top 10 in Sports Illustrated’s Fortunate 50 ranking of the highest earning American athletes.

The list takes into account salaries, winnings, endorsements and appearance fees for the athletes’ most recent playing year.

Tiger Woods tops the list with $90.5 million. New Miami Heat star LeBron James ranked 4th with $45.8 million. Wade rounds out the Top 10 with $27.8 million.

Up the road in Orlando, Magic star Dwight Howard is 12th with $27.2 million.

Other athletes on the list with South Florida ties – having played here previously: Shaquille O’Neal – No. 6, $36 million; Jermaine O’Neal – No. 22, $23.3 million; Vince Wilfork – No. 38, $18.9 million; Josh Beckett – No. 43 $17.5 million; and A.J. Burnett – No. 50, $16.8 million.

Meanwhile, Forbes released a list of the world’s 50 top-earning athletes with slightly different figures because they take into account different time frames. Woods tops that list at $105 million.

James comes in at No. 7 with $42.8 million, and Wade at No. 28 with $26.8 million.

Forbes also ranked the world's 50 Most Valuable teams with Manchester United topping the list. The only South Florida team to make the rankings is the Miami Dolphins at No. 23 and $1.02 billion.

The Miami Heat has been the top-selling team and its Three Kings’ jerseys rank Nos. 1, 2 and 5 for the two weeks since LeBron James and Chris Bosh said they were joining a returning Dwyane Wade on the Heat, according to the NBA.

The league measures sales at the NBA Store and on NBAStore.com. Those figures show James’ new No. 6 Heat jersey as the top seller, followed by Bosh’s new No. 1 Heat jersey. Jersey sales for Kobe Bryant, of the 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers, rank third, followed by Amar’e Stoudemire, who signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks. Wade’s jersey rounds out the top 5.

SportsOneSource is reporting that at large sporting goods retailers, the Heat ranks second in jersey sales among NBA teams. Last week, Heat jersey sales represented 15.3 percent of the overall NBA jersey sales market, behind only the Lakers, and representing a 142 percent increase from a year ago. Lakers jersey sales represented 28.26 percent of the market share last week – up 26 percent from last year.

Meanwhile, rather than burning James’ Cleveland Cavaliers jerseys, Ohioans are collecting them and sending them to South Florida homeless shelters.

Miami Dolphins limited partners Serena and Venus Williams are again No. 1 and 2 in The Harris Poll of favorite female sports stars.

New Miami Heat star LeBron James ranks 6th among male sports stars – down from third last year, but keep in mind the poll was conducted before James announced he was leaving Cleveland and joining the Heat. At the top of the list of male sports stars is a tie -- Tiger Woods – despite his troubles – and Kobe Bryant of the 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers.

The Harris Poll was conducted online between June 14 and 21 when 2,227 adults were surveyed. According to the poll results, men chose Woods as their favorite, while women chose Bryant. Bryant was also favored by African Americans and Hispanics. Men and women bothered favored Serena Williams, as African Americans. Hispanics favored Venus Williams.

There are still three and a half months until the new-look Miami Heat takes the court for the 2010-11 season, but South Beach hotels are already offering up specials in honor of the Three Kings – LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

The Gansevoort Hotel in Miami Beach (2377 Collins Ave.) has created a “Heat Suite” to give high-end guests a chance to experience life like a superstar basketball player. For a mere $2,500 a night, the suite package includes a one-bedroom suite with an ocean-view balcony; use of a Ferrari F430 for a day; and a private VIP cabana at Plunge, the hotel’s rooftop lounge; the Three Kings’ jersey of your choice; and passes to David Barton Gym.

There’s more: get snacks endorsed by James – Sprite, Powerade, Lightning Lemonade Bubblicious gum; and an iPod outfitted with James’ favorite music, including by his pal Jay Z. The suite includes “Heat”-style candies such as Hot Tamales and Red Hots, natch.

For more information, visit the hotel’s website.

Meanwhile, the Hotel Victor is offering the public a shot at its penthouse “Fit for a King” – with a retail value of $10,000 a night – for $163 for one night – in honor of the jersey numbers of the trio (Bosh 1; James 6; Wade 3).

All the hotel at 1144 Ocean Drive is asking is for fans to “like” its Facebook page – Facebook.com/HotelVictor for a shot at the special penthouse deal.

Couldn’t get enough of the Miami Heat’s Summer of 2010 Welcome Event for LeBron James, Chris Bosh and the return of Dwyane Wade on Friday? Or missed the hastily arranged event at AmericanAirlines Arena entirely?

Sun Sports is broadcasting a condensed one-hour version of the welcome spectacle. Broadcast times are: Saturday at 6 p.m.; Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.; and July 23 at 1 p.m. And starting on Saturday at 6 p.m., fans can also watch the show online at FoxSportsFlorida.com.

Sun Sports is also producing a 30-minute special from this weeks’ Summer Groove presented by Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade. The first airdate is Aug. 11 at 7 p.m.

More random thoughts on the Miami Heat’s big free agency coup, in no particular order:

+ The LeBron effect: In Cleveland, LeBron James made the perennial cellar dweller Cavaliers relevant. The arena sold out. The team had the NBA’s best regular season last year. Television ratings about quadrupled since before his arrival.

While the impact of James playing alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh is immeasurable at this point, it’s clear it can’t be quite as dramatic as what occurred in Cleveland. Cleveland had much farther to rise. Although the Heat didn’t sell out last season, attendance was at 90 percent of arena capacity and the team did go to the first round of the playoffs.

+ Since most people didn’t think it was possible James would join the Heat, the price of Heat season tickets on the secondary market remained fairly steady for the first week of free agency. The day after James announced? The price went up 2.5 times, according to ticket search engine FanSnap.com, which reported sales rose from $3,238.61 on Thursday to $8,249.99 on Friday. Check out FanSnap.com’s chart showing season ticket package prices from July 1-9.

+ Joe Johnson is getting the maximum. The trio isn’t.

+ The Heat’s decision to halt season ticket sales on Thursday was a strategic one. Heat President of Business Operations Eric Woolworth said it helped that the team had the history of trading for Shaquille O’Neal in July 2004. The trade had an instant impact, including selling out season tickets.

“We learned a lot of lessons both good and bad,” Woolworth said. “We certainly enjoyed the status of having the most season tickets in the league, but in retrospect, it wasn’t the best thing we could do. The more season tickets you have the more you have to service, the more you have to renew every year. Certain locations are great locations but not great season ticket locations.”

Woolworth said that means team staff has to spend time working to renew season ticket holders in the least expensive seats.

That’s part of the reason for deciding to hold back a quarter to a third of AmericanAirlines Arena’s 19,600 seats – including all of the 400 level – to sell in the future in season ticket mini-plans and to groups and individual game ticket buyers. Woolworth said the team also wants to have inventory so more fans can attend games.

“There is community aspect to it,” he said. “When you sell out almost of all of your season tickets, you start playing to almost an exclusive audience. There aren’t as many people in the community who can see games. We want to make sure there are tickets available to every game.”

+ With all this talk of Pat Riley impressing free agents with his championship rings, I share some insight he gave me about using the rings as motivation. This comes from a story about championship rings I wrote in 2004, just as the Marlins were to receive their 2003 World Series championship rings, and two years before Riley’s Miami Heat picked up their first rings in 2006. Here’s the beginning of that story:

Pat Riley keeps five of his championship rings in a small velvet bag and occasionally as a coach he'd bring them to practice and jingle them in his pocket.

"I'd let players wear them for like a week just because it's what we all play for. It's a symbol of absolute professional significance. The worst thing as a player is to retire and know they never won a championship." said Riley, who won two as a player and four as coach of the "Showtime" Lakers. "It's a very, very significant achievement, despite all of the negative things we read about professional sports ... This is what it's all about, when you're part of a team and win a championship, it's something that really matters and counts."

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter: @sarahtalalay

A New York strip club offered LeBron James a lifetime of free lap dances if he played for the New York Knicks. But Truly Nolen knows while South Florida may offer paradise (and lap dances and no state income tax free), it does have its insects.

That’s why the company is offering five years of free pest control to James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. Because, well, you know, that thing about defense. That’d be free service through July 8, 2015.

“Like these three superstar players, our company believes the best offense is the best defense,” Michelle Senner, Truly Nolen’s director of marketing and philanthropy said in a statement. “Whether LeBron or Chris block shots or Dwyane steals the ball, they remind us of our tenacious technicians.”

It was one of the company’s technicians who suggested they offer the service since, well, the players have plenty to pay attention to on the court.

Meanwhile, Miami-Dade County Commissioners, who renamed their county “Miami-Wade County” from July 1-7 for the first week of free agency, voted Thursday to keep the Wade name at least until Wade signs his new contract.

Talk about a “Hot Market.” Better yet, a “Heat Market.”

Printing machines were working overtime overnight to ready name and number Heat T-shirts for sale today. LeBron James No. 6, Dwyane Wade No. 3 and Chris Bosh No. 1 Tees are available.

Jerseys will take a little bit longer, but you can pre-order at heat.com. And apparently, fans were ordering even before they knew which players would actually land with the Heat, says Andy Montero, Heat senior director of retail operations.

The Heat doesn’t release sales figures, but Montero said the orders placed since James made it official last night he was coming to Miami, were equivalent to a typical two months of sales.

“It’s like getting Elvis,” Montero said. “It’s hot market, it’s code blue, whatever you want to call it. One of the key things it is helping the local economy.”

That’s because printing is taking place in South Florida.

5th & Ocean Clothing of Hialeah, which specializes in women’s merchandise, is making shirts with the names and numbers of the Heat’s big trio on the front. The items are expected to be delivered to the Miami Hoops Gear store at AmericanAirlines Arena this afternoon, said Robert Fonseca, 5th & Ocean director of sales.

The arena store is open today starting at 10 a.m. until at least 4 p.m. Merchandise is also available at the Hoops Gear Store in Dolphin Mall in Miami.

“This is huge and I think it’s going to be for a while,” Fonseca said. “It’s a big thing, the next Michael Jordan. I think it’s good for sports licensed business, it’s good for the league, for the NBA, which has been a little weak as far as sales and attendance and good for the economy.”

When Shaquille O’Neal was traded to the Heat in 2004, it was big, but this – this is different.

“You’ve got three of top five players in the league on the same team and then you’ve got the mastermind of Pat Riley putting this deal together, preparing for this for x amount of years.”

So much that the team has sold out of its available season ticket inventory. But fans who want to get in are being encouraged to call 786-777-HOOP to be placed on a waiting list because some tickets should become available “in the near future,” Heat President of Business Operations Eric Woolworth said in a statement.

The Heat won’t release sales figures, but Woolworth said,” the sale of premium seats and season tickets over the last couple of weeks has been extremely brisk, peaking in a new intensity the last couple of days.”

The team has raised prices for any future season ticket sales.

Even before LeBron James officially announced he was "going to take my talents to South Beach," the Florida Panthers were trying to appeal to fans' excitement about the prospect of James joining the Heat.

The team announced a "Seats Fit For A King" ticket promotion -- a limited offer of lower bowl Panthers season tickets at BankAtlantic Center for $23 a game -- for James' original NBA jersey number -- and upper level ones for $6 a game -- for James' most recent jersey number. The promotion available by calling 954-835-PUCK runs until 5 p.m. Monday.

“Based on the hype surrounding rumors of a new King headed to South Florida, we wanted to remind our fans that we want them to feel like royalty,” Panthers President Michael Yormark said in a statement. “Certainly, it’s an exciting time to be part of the South Florida sports industry and we’d like our fans and our staff to embrace it.”

With news that coveted NBA free agent LeBron James was likely headed to Miami and not the Big Apple to play for the New York Knicks, investors got a jolt.

Read my colleague Harriet Brackey’s entry on her It’s Your Money blog about the impact of James not going to New York. It seems investors were betting on Knicks' owner Madison Square Garden, well, until James wasn’t. Brackey tells us stocks slumped 5.5 percent -- $90 million in stock market value today.

While much has been made of NBA free agent Dwyane Wade saying his decision about where to play rests in part on what's best for his family, the custody of his two sons isn’t expected to be a deciding factor.

On Saturday, Wade told Chicago’s NBC TV affiliate: "At the end of the day, your decision goes on what's best for you and your family. I think that the organizations I've been brought in to meet with are all good organizations. And all can add something to my life, and not just basketballwise.”

For those worrying that Wade’s bolting the Miami Heat for the Chicago Bulls because that’s his hometown and where his two young sons are living, hold on.

Sun Sentinel Heat beat writer Ira Winderman included this in a story reported yesterday: Concerns of a potential departure, however, have increased amid speculation that family issues, notably a July 19 custody hearing in Chicago regarding his two young sons, could have Wade suiting up for the Bulls next season.

However, a party involved in the current round of negotiations said Wade has assured suitors that his domestic issues in the wake of his recent divorce would not be the overriding factor in any decision.

And Wade’s Chicago divorce attorney, James Pritikin, doesn’t sound concerned either.

Pritikin said attorneys have researched the issue of whether where Wade plays is tied to his gaining sole custody of his two sons. Wade’s divorce was finalized last month in Chicago.

“While it is an issue, it’s one we’ve researched and don’t think it will be a major issue for us to deal with,” Pritikin said. “One of the main reasons is Mr. and Mrs. Wade were living in Pinecrest [near Miami] and after the divorce was filed, Mrs. Wade moved [the children] to the state of Illinois.”

In Illinois, Pritikin said, the parent granted sole custody can move children with permission of the courts.

Asked what might occur if Wade isn’t granted sole custody, Pritkin said, “I don’t contemplate that happening.”

While Illinois law wouldn’t prevent Wade from moving his sons to Florida, if he’s granted sole custody, “He can’t just go,” said Sarane Siewerth, who heads the appeals and research department at Chicago family law firm Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, which is not handling Wade’s case.

“Illinois has a pretty rigid removal statute that makes the party who wants to remove the children from Illinois to any other place have the burden to prove that move is in the best interest of the child,” Siewerth said.

The primary custodian would need to prove that in a court hearing, she said. If Wade is granted joint custody, he’d also have to explain in court any reason for moving the children out of state, she said.

Courts in Illinois consider 11 factors when determining who gains custody of a child, including the child’s connection to his school and community, the child’s wishes, and which parent “is more likely to foster the relationship of the child with the other parent,” Siewerth said.

And if Wade were granted sole custody, his ex-wife Siohvaughn, would get visitation, which varies but typically includes every other weekend and one evening during the week, Siewerth said. “Long range truckers, for example, who are gone for two or three days at a time, the other parent might have the child for that period of time,” Siewerth said. “That would sort of be similar to what might be applicable to Dwyane Wade.”

We make a big deal of Florida being one of the few states without an income tax. It’s one reason lots of wealthy athletes make their homes here.

While it’s doubtful any of the top free agents, including LeBron James, still mulling where they plan to play for the next several years will make their decision solely based on the potential tax savings, we still wondered how much that savings could mean.

Martin R. Press, a tax attorney, and Brandon L. Chase, a summer associate, at the Gunster law firm in Fort Lauderdale crunched the numbers for us. Of course, there are a number of caveats, but Press and Chase looked at last year’s Miami Heat schedule and figured James’ max free agent salary next season – expected to be $16.6 million – and compared that to the tax rate in states the Heat visited last year. They excluded the two games in Toronto and didn’t figure in credits, deductions, real estate taxes and other sources of income, such as endorsement deals, which would also be taxed in tax-levying states.

Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, but states that levy taxes may tax them for the days they work there. If James were to play for the Heat – he’d likely pay other states $436,818 in state income taxes. Play in New York for the Knicks, and that number, which includes the New York City tax, rises to $1.45 million. It costs more than a million in New Jersey to play for the Nets, too: $1.16 million, Press and Chase figured. Find the chart that compares playing in Florida versus Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey and New York here.

The $16.6 million salary works out to $202,439 per game. There would be no state income tax implications for the 41 games played at AmericanAirlines Arena, two games in Orlando and three played in Texas, which also doesn’t have a state income tax. The state on the Heat’s schedule with the highest tax rate appears to be Oregon – the one game played there would cost $21,863 in state taxes. Four games in California cost $77,236; two in New York $31,783 and so on.

+ Meanwhile, decisions are yet to be made as to which free agents will actually play for the Heat, but the team is already prepared and selling jerseys.

Of course, right now the jerseys are listed at heat.com with a question mark, but you can place a pre-order.

They’ll be shipped out 14 business days after the new players choose their numbers. You’ll then need to email or call the team with your preference. The items include this description: “Your Miami HEAT is set to rock the NBA world with blockbuster player moves during the HEAT Summer of 2010. Be among the first HEAT fans to sport the jersey of our next new superstar!” Replica jerseys are $55, shooting shirts $65, authentic jerseys $170.

+ And while Burnie continues his vigil atop a ledge at AmericanAirlines Arena until Wade signs with the Heat, "We Want Wade" week continues Monday with fans encouraged to wear Wade gear. Jungle Island is celebrating Wade too, naming its new camel “Flash” after the superstar Heat guard.

Jungle Island is calling Monday “Wild for Wade” day and inviting fans to have their photos taken with the new camel. If you’re wearing Wade gear, you can get the photo for free. The event is all day, but photos with the camel will be taken from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Heat dancers and the Heat Banana Man will appear from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Expecting an uptick in season ticket sales once this summer’s NBA free agents decide where they will be playing, the Heat has officially launched a new online season ticket sales system.

Called Heat SeatPick, the system -- designed by the team’s information technology department -- allows fans to check seat availability in real time and purchase tickets without needing to speak with a sales representative. The system also includes a 3-D seat viewer that shows views from the AmericanAirlines Arena stands.

“In recent years, consumers have become increasingly comfortable with the secure online purchase of big ticket items, so we designed Heat SeatPick with this trend in mind,” Heat President of Business Operations Eric Woolworth said in a statement. “Season tickets are a substantial investment often accompanied by questions about seat locations, sightlines and inventory, and we believe the platform directly and thoroughly addresses these concerns.”

The system can be accessed at Heat.com where it says Heat SeatPick – you choose your price level, number of tickets and the system shows you how many seats are available and where. The 3D viewer shows your view from that section.

Fans have already begun purchasing tickets through the system and Heat officials say sales have picked up since free agent rumors heated up over the weekend. The team has also created this introductory video to explain how the system works – makes me want a cup of diner coffee and a slice of pie:

With politicians, schoolkids, Miami Heat officials and fanfare, Miami-Dade County was officially renamed “Miami-Wade County” this morning – through July 8 -- in honor of South Florida’s favorite NBA (imminent) free agent, Dwyane Wade.

And so begins “We Want Wade Week” – coinciding with the first week of NBA free agency, which officially begins at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. With the richest free agent class in years and the potential to vastly re-shape a team’s and its city’s fortunes, the Miami Heat has been making sure the community shows Wade some super love.

The We Want Wade campaign was launched last month, complete with wewantwade.com website, fan kits with stickers and souvenirs, opportunities for fans to send Wade messages and upload videos. The team hoisted a billboard with just the signature portion of a contract awaiting Wade’s autograph near his Miami home. It gave out We Want Wade T-shirts at the NBA draft party at AmericanAirlines Arena last week.

This week, the campaign goes full force:

The county’s been informally known by Heat fans as “Wade County” for years, but the county’s proclamation at the county government center this morning made it official for this week. The logo is even in the Heat's black and red colors, rather than the usual blue and green.

Wade now appears larger than life -- along with his highlights -- on AmericanAirlines Arena’s MediaMesh marquee overlooking Biscayne Boulevard.

Burnie the Heat mascot plans to live on the ledge of the arena’s main entrance for the week, with his living arrangements on view 24 hours a day online, much like the Jim Carrey movie, The Truman Show.

Staring Friday, Wade highlights will be all over Heat.com. On Saturday from noon to midnight, Sun Sports will replay four of Wade’s most notable games (Heat v. Hornets, playoffs, April 18, 2004; Heat v. Knicks, March 15, 2005; Heat v. Mavericks, Finals, June 13, 2006; Heat v. Bulls, March 9, 2009).

For July 4th on Sunday, the Heat Street Band entertains people around AmericanAirlines Arena. Fans are encouraged to wear Wade gear on Monday. On Tuesday, at 3:33 p.m. – in honor of Wade’s No. 3 jersey – fans are encouraged to write messages on Wade’s Facebook wall – at facebook.com/dwyanewade. And on July 7, the team launches a social media scavenger hunt for five oversized No. 3 figurines that will be hidden around South Florida. Finding the figurines gives fans entry into a VIP event at the arena.

As if this summer of superstar NBA free agency couldn’t get any more bizarre, the Harlem Globetrotters have stepped into the fray.

The Globetrotters are pursuing Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and have even made Globie jerseys -- D-Wade # 3; King # 6 – available for preorder on their website for $75 apiece. “Coming Soon?...We’ll find out July 1,” the site says.

Now, as unlikely and implausible (and all the other no it’s not going to happen synonyms you can supply) as it seems, consider what the Globetrotters are prepared to offer: part ownership in the team (that’s prohibited in the NBA) and 51 percent of revenue from sales of licensed merchandise with their name and likeness, a Globebtrotters source says. There are no salary cap restrictions either.

And perhaps most important of all? Especially if Wade and James are only concerned about winning?

The Globetrotters have an unrivaled winning streak that dates back nearly four decades. The last time the Globetrotters lost to the Washington Generals was in 1971.

The Globetrotters were expected to contact agents for Wade and James, but it’s unknown if they’ve connected yet. No word yet from Wade’s agent Henry Thomas on the unusual offer.

The Miami Heat is continuing to ramp up pressure on its superstar guard to re-sign with the team through its We Want Wade campaign.

The team has put up a billboard with the signature portion of a contract on the 79th Street Causeway hoping to capture Wade’s attention. It simply includes the dotted line with an X, Wade’s name and an arrow indicating where to sign. Check out the photo by Brentan Debysingh, Miami Heat.

If Wade does re-sign, the team is exploring having Wade actually sign the giant billboard.

The team launched the We Want Wade campaign and its accompanying wewantwade.com website last month. Billboards and banners have been going up across “Wade County” and fans have been posting messages and videos to the site encouraging Wade to stay with the Heat. Fans can also order a We Want Wade fan kit, which includes window clings, bracelets and stickers, or download a digital version.

Wade is expected to exercise his option to become a free agent by July 1 and he has said repeatedly he would like to remain with the Heat.

+Gotta love it when a team takes one for its fans: The Seattle Sounders after suffering an embarrassing 4-0 loss to the LA Galaxy at home announce they are giving season ticket holders a one-game refund – good toward season tickets next year.

+ The Field of Dreams film site – well part of the Iowa cornfield from the 1989 movie anyway -- is up for sale. Scant details here.

+ We have WeWantWade.com, but LeBron James has a group of politicians, officials and other Cleveland fans serenading him to the tune of We Are The World. If you can stand it, click here.

+ Pompano Beach Paralympian Bradley Johnson joined The Hartford for the insurance company’s 200th anniversary at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. Johnson is the guy on the left side of the net, helping to demonstrate sit volleyball. The Hartford is founding sponsor of U.S. Paralympics.

As Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade sat in a Miami-Dade Circuit courtroom for a second day in a trial on a lawsuit in which he is accused of breaching his contract in a failed restaurant endeavor, the Heat kicked off a fan campaign to keep him in on the team.

Although he has said he would like to stay in Miami, Wade is expected to exercise his option to become a free agent on July 1, and so the Heat has launched its “We Want Wade” campaign complete with its own website, advertising and fan messaging.

WeWantWade.com includes video highlights, updates on the campaign and a place for fans to leave messages expressing their desire to keep Wade a member of the Heat. There are also tips as to how to treat Wade if you see him out in public – such as chanting “We Want Wade” or sending a dessert to his table if you see him at a restaurant. South Florida fans can also order a We Want Wade fan kit that includes window clings, bracelets and stickers. Out of town Heat fans can download a digital version from the site.

Billboards and other advertisements are going up around South Florida and across what’s been dubbed “Wade County.”

“The goal is to create an affirmative, positive campaign that allows the community to let Wade know that they want him to stay in Miami and what they are willing to do to make sure Wade ‘feels the love’,” according to a team release about the campaign.

During a break in the trial, Wade said he was surprised by the campaign, but pleased.

“I just found that out,” he said of the campaign. “I thought it was hilarious. But I appreciate it. I do, I really do.”

In another plug for my stories on going behind the scenes in a variety of sports jobs, here are some details that didn't make the package:

Pit crew: Hours spent at the track go by in a flash – there’s so much work to be done. Constant work on the cars, meeting race fans, signing autographs, cleaning the trailers, and, of course, keeping the frigs stocked with water and Gatorade and snack trays filled with chips, granola bars, fruit. Seconds really do make a difference - as I learned the hard way. Everyone has a job. The time between pit stops gets filled with snacking and watching the race on pit box monitors. As the “deadman” you really are thatclose to the gas – you’re standing under a 55-gallon drum suspended on a metal scissor stand. I just didn’t think about my proximity to the gas.

Grounds crew: What this very busy crew at Sun Life Stadium does can’t be overstated. These people work hard to create a pitch perfect field for both baseball and football. As one of only two professional stadiums left in the country that host both football and baseball on natural grass, these people are busy. The grass gets mowed every day. There are the summer rains. The endzone and center logo replacements between Dolphins and University of Miami games. Lowering and raising the pitcher’s mound when football and baseball overlap. And the difference between football and baseball is stark, head groundskeeper Alan Sigwardt explains: football is all about the grass and how it holds up against the different players – the 350-pound lineman versus the speedy receivers. Meanwhile, baseball is about the dirt – with only three players doing their job on the grass, the vast majority of the work is done on the infield dirt. “It’s two totally different sciences,” Sigwardt says. Watch video of my turn at the job below.

Zamboni driving: Top speed is 9 mph, but you’re typically driving slower than that. In a giant contraption with a sensitive turning radius. The red line at BankAtlantic Center is dotted with prints of Panthers paws – which you can see when you’re on the ice, but they’re difficult to make out otherwise. Driving the Zamboni satisfies both sides of head ice technician Graham Caplinger’s brain. He’s a perfectionist, fascinated by the science and math of the job. But he’s also a musician – a drummer – so he has learned to let go. He knows he creates a perfect sheet of ice only to see the players mess it up with their skates. “Everything’s as best as I know how to do it, I’ve checked and checked and rechecked and checked and checked, then it’s up to the players, the artists, if you will, to go out carve up their masterpiece,” Caplinger says. He also says the iPod is the greatest invention – it helps him pass the time spent on the slow-moving Zamboni.

Mascots: It takes a special person to be a mascot. There’s a mascot creed and rules. Never reveal your identity. No talking. Don’t seek permission – ask forgiveness later. Have fun. Grown-ups become big kids as soon as they see a mascot – they cheer, they yell, they pose for photos, they high five, they act silly. And the mascot loves it – he, too, acts silly with no – or few - consequences. “It’s like Batman Superman status. Nobody knows who you are. They think they’re laughing at me, but I’m actually laughing at them. I’m getting them out of their character,” Burnie the Heat mascot says.
 

Last year, Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross came in at No. 2 on The New York Observer’s "Power 100" ranking of "The Most Powerful People in New York Real Estate" behind only President Barack Obama.

This year he’s got top billing on the list released today.

That’s because Ross, chairman of the Related Cos., shows no signs of slowing down in real estate despite the economy, the Observer report said. CityPlace Partners, which owns the retail portion of CityPlace in West Palm Beach, may be seeking to restructure a loan on the complex for flexibility, but that hasn’t stopped Related from seeking out other projects. Related is one of several partners in CityPlace Partners.

The Observer notes Ross is not only eyeing distressed and difficult properties, including the Xanadu project in New Jersey, but is also working with Related partners on starting a bank and is constructing a hotel and apartment tower in midtown Manhattan.

The list include developers, politicians, and just-approved principal New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov.

Reminder: follow me on Twitter @sarahtalalay

As full regular season team sponsorships are becoming more common, so, too, are off-season ones. Last fall, the Miami Heat unveiled its 2009-10 season was being sponsored by travel insurer Assist-Card.

This off-season, of course, the Heat is focusing on what it’s calling the “Heat Summer of 2010,” when we’re waiting for news of superstar guard Dwyane Wade’s future and the roster re-vamp.

Up the road in Sunrise, the Florida Panthers, however, are getting an assist from Lexus. The luxury auto maker is sponsoring the team’s summer under what the team is calling “Florida Panthers 4th Period Driven by Lexus.”

There’s a special 4th Period logo that’s going on all news announcements, advertisements, and promotions this summer.

“We are thrilled to announce longstanding partners Lexus as the first presenting sponsor of the Florida Panthers offseason,” Panthers President Michael Yormark said in a statement.

It’s Yormark’s twin brother, New Jersey Nets CEO Brett Yormark, who in 2007 introduced basketball’s first offseason sponsor, signing up Wrigley to help underwrite the team’s summer activities.

Among the first summer activities is the team’s “You Make the Pick” Promotion – in partnership with JetBlue -- in which fans are being invited to enter a contest to win trips to the NHL Draft in Los Angeles on June 25. The idea is to have fans choose who they think should be selected by the Panthers in the third spot in the draft.

While all fans are eligible to participate in the online contest, only fans who become season ticket holders by May 31 can win one of the grand prizes, which are the trips to the draft that include meetings with team officials and the prospect chosen in the third spot. Other prizes include trips to LA and autographed merchandise.

“We want Panthers fans and the South Florida community to feel excited and involved in the process leading up to our first pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft,” Yormark said in a statement.

To learn more and enter, visit floridapanthers.com.

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is looking for some love.

No, not that. Love for Project Medishare, a non-profit organization raising money for medical assistance in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. It’s an organization Wade is supporting as part of the NBA and State Farm’s NBA Cares Charity Challenge. Wade and former Heat star Alonzo Mourning, who is now the team’s vice president of player programs, formed the “Athletes Relief Fund for Haiti” through which they raised $1 million from professional athletes.

The challenge is a contest pitting four players and charities they are supporting. Fans are asked to vote for their favorite pairing – the one with the most votes will get $10,000 for that charity. The other three charities will get $5,000 each. The other players and charities are: the Denver Nuggets Carmelo Anthony and the Special Olympics; the Los Angeles Lakers Pau Gasol and UNICEF; and the Phoenix Suns Steve Nash and Educare, an organization of schools for at-risk newborns to 5-year-olds.

Fans have until 11:59 p.m. Sunday to view videos of the players discussing their charities and vote for their favorite. Fans can view the videos and vote on the league’s Facebook page at facebook.com/nba.

The contest provides an opportunity for the league to tap into its vast and growing social networks. The league has more than 2 million fans on its Facebook page and more than 1.8 million followers on Twitter at @NBA.

Watch Nash’s video here; Gasol’s here and Anthony’s here.

Wade’s is here: