NBA Rumors: Miami Heat ink deal to remain in South Beach through 2040
By Josh Hill
There are some doubts as to whether or not the Heat will be able to get LeBron James to stay in Miami but there is not little fear that Miami will have any sort of trouble keeping the Heat in South Beach. While the threat of relocation wasn’t ever actually present, the Heat have inked a deal that will put to bed any thought of relocation through the 2040 NBA season.
According to the Associated Press via USA TODAY Sports, the Heat have extended their agreement with Dade County to remain in their location until 2040. Relocating to another state was never an issue, but this agreement means that if the Heat decide to build a new arena — which they almost certainly will before 2040 arrives — it will have to be build in Dade County and not in a surrounding area.
This seems tedious but we see teams assume a city’s name but actually play their games in a different location. The San Francisco 49ers, for example, will be opening a new stadium this year in Santa Calra rather than in downtown San Francisco and both the New York Jets and Giants actually play their games in New Jersey.
Under this extended agreement, the Miami Heat will remain in Miami in both name and location as a new stadium will not be allowed to be built anywhere other than within Dade County jurisdiction.