Will Lebron James & Co. fill condos?

[theEmbarcadero]

Considering it is a given that the AAA will sell out every home game and be an "event" for years to come---I was wondering what the Miami SSC gang thinks about the economic impact of this big free agency coup, to downtown Miami?

Specifically...will more condos be sold, more skyscrapers built, more mass transit finished?

Any impact on other teams like the Marlins. Dolphins...the U?

I welcome your thoughts. I sure hope this can spark another boom..!!

[Hia-leah JDM]

Someone actually brought that up on ESPN. The posibility of this changing the fabric of Dwntwn Miami. It sounds crazy but not really? This is not just a local thing, it's an international event. Tourist already regularly went to HEAT games, but now expect tourist from everywhere really, but Spain, China, and Argentina especially to hunt these games down.
If Downtown businesses take advantage of the local community and tourist flocking to downtown in extra droves we should see a difference. More spots on Biscayne opening up and more business for the spots already in and around Flagler.

[QuantumX]

Originally Posted by Hia-leah JDM

Someone actually brought that up on ESPN. The posibility of this changing the fabric of Dwntwn Miami. It sounds crazy but not really? This is not just a local thing, it's an international event. Tourist already regularly went to HEAT games, but now expect tourist from everywhere really, but Spain, China, and Argentina especially to hunt these games down.
If Downtown businesses take advantage of the local community and tourist flocking to downtown in extra droves we should see a difference. More spots on Biscayne opening up and more business for the spots already in and around Flagler.

This news made the front page of the Wall Street Journal, so you guys could be right.

[QuantumX]

Originally Posted by theEmbarcadero

Considering it is a given that the AAA will sell out every home game and be an "event" for years to come---I was wondering what the Miami SSC gang thinks about the economic impact of this big free agency coup, to downtown Miami?

Specifically...will more condos be sold, more skyscrapers built, more mass transit finished?

Any impact on other teams like the Marlins. Dolphins...the U?

I welcome your thoughts. I sure hope this can spark another boom..!!

I don't know. Shaq couldn't get Met3 built for us, and I was really counting on that, but then, we didn't have a trifecta like this then, so who knows.

[Canes and Yankees]

I think there is no doubt this is going to boost the economy in downtown. Maybe not directly and immediately, but definitely over time. This is going to make Miami that much cooler of a place to be around.

If I had the money, I'd def consider opening a Miami Heat sports bar in somwhere in the Biscayne corridor.

[Aceventura]

There will be a positive impact, but I don't know about starting another building boom. Hmm, maybe the City Square development will get moving along though.

[Roark]

Originally Posted by theEmbarcadero

Specifically...will more condos be sold, more skyscrapers built, more mass transit finished?

Because of a Free Agent signing?
No.

[spellbound]

Certainly, there will be more economic activity on game nights because the arena will be filled each game but I doubt it extends to those other levels in a really meaningful way. The overall economic picture is what drives people to buy for themselves or as an investment---and LeBron or any other person can't change that. I mean, remember when the Met3 folks made a big splash bringing in Shaq to help market the project? Didn't make a bit of difference.

Remember, too, that while the Heat is now absolutely one of the most glamorous and talked-about franchises in sports, as recently as 2006 they were also a star-studded team that won a title and enjoyed sellouts every game. There was a huge buzz and lots of national attention with that squad, too, but does anyone think the construction boom going on at the same time was connected to that?

I'm just going to enjoy what this means to the team and how fascinating they will be to watch---but with the understanding LeBron James can't walk on water, heal the sick, extend Metrorail, or build a skyscraper. He could help build an NBA dynasty, though!

[southfloridamiamian]

Do you guys think it will have an impact whether Miami World Center gets built? I know their have been rumors that this project was going through some internal problems. I personally think this could be then boost the project needs to come to fruition. That and city-square. lol I can already see the big three on those giant 300 foot tall billboards on city-square.

[massp88]

Was Michael Jordan a windfall for Chicago? No. He helped, but not nearly as much as a large company would. Sure there will be added exposure to the Heat, but not enough to drive condo sales.

I have heard people now calling South Florida the capital of American sports and I have to laugh. The NBA is in 3rd place when it comes to the top 4 American sports. As I have stated before, Miami is not a good sports town. The Heat have now become the Yankees of the NBA, the team everyone is going to love to hate and want to see lose.

I only feel bad for the Heat, there is so much pressure and not winning the NBA championship will be a complete failure.

[massp88]

Also bear in mind, if the Heat fail to win championships, this will mean nothing. Assembling 3 great players on one team that does not win a championship will be a joke.

[Roark]

Originally Posted by southfloridamiamian

Do you guys think it will have an impact whether Miami World Center gets built?

No...
AmericanAirlines Arena holds less than 20,000 people max...the incremental addition of 7 or 13 thousand on the home game nights have very little impact on multi-acre real estate developments.

Originally Posted by southfloridamiamian

That and city-square. lol I can already see the big three on those giant 300 foot tall billboards on city-square.

Now that is great! I had this conversation today...how incredible will it look from the blimp to have 5 facades of the Media Towers displaying the starting line up at 450 feet into the sky?
In about three years, the Heat should have an NBA Championship season barring any injuries, and those LED Mesh Media Towers should be completed. I love it!

[3tmk]

As much as Cleveland is the nation's economic capital

[spellbound]

People should also remember that the AAA won't be where LeBron, Dwyane, and Co. are for roughly 315 of the 365 days in a year (I'm including playoffs). It'll be a circus on game days, absolutely, but not a permanent feature the way other economic facets are.

But, hey, people are excited and rightfully so. A little hyperbole is to be expected---and harmless.

[TonyAnderson]

There's an indirect positive economic impact as well though, and that's the increased exposure for Miami. The city has gained a lot of momentum lately in the lime light (CSI: Miami, Dash, etc.) and this just takes it to another level. It's basically telling the rest of America, and the world, that Miami is the place to be. This was the greatest free agent class in NBA history, and the top three prospects all chose Miami.

[massp88]

Originally Posted by TonyAnderson

There's an indirect positive economic impact as well though, and that's the increased exposure for Miami. The city has gained a lot of momentum lately in the lime light (CSI: Miami, Dash, etc.) and this just takes it to another level. It's basically telling the rest of America, and the world, that Miami is the place to be. This was the greatest free agent class in NBA history, and the top three prospects all chose Miami.

DASH, are you kidding me? A lame store owned by 3 idiots who have a blatantly scripted "reality" show brings only bad things to Miami. It's the reality crowd. Do you feel having the Jersey Shore come to Miami is going to be a positive too? CSI: Miami has been around since 2002, so that is not a recent thing. Miami is a higher class city and does not need reality crap. Miami is not Las Vegas, we are much better.

Like I have said, if the Heat do not win championships, not the s, then this has to be deemed a failure.

[Hia-leah JDM]

Originally Posted by massp88

Like I have said, if the Heat do not win championships, not the s, then this has to be deemed a failure.

No way!

[krudmonk]

No knock on Miami at all, but the mere notion is disgusting. I guess that's more an indictment of the modern NBA. Whatever, any boost to urban culture is good, I guess.

[spellbound]

Originally Posted by krudmonk

No knock on Miami at all, but the mere notion is disgusting. I guess that's more an indictment of the modern NBA. Whatever, any boost to urban culture is good, I guess.

Why is it disgusting? All the Heat did here was set themselves up for a big splash in free-agency and they accomplished it. If that's wrong, then they should change the rules.

The more I think about it the less I think it's bad for the NBA, too. It's July. When is the last time you heard this much basketball talk this time of year?

The NFL rules the national landscape by a WIDE margin (and will continue to do so) but this much NBA conversation---even if, admittedly, the whole "Decision" thing was annoying and ill-conceived---is rare territory for the league.

Heat games---even 1 a.m. 4th quarters in Sacramento---are gonnna pull viewers.

[theEmbarcadero]

I am dismayed by those who love Miami...and all things "big city"....yet HATE sports.

After reading hundreds of threads and thousands of posts, from everything to "our skyline is better than yours" to "build/don't build the Marlins a new stadium" to "can we get the World Cup/Olympics here", I just want to add a few more cents worth of my thoughts and opinions. This free agent coup is an atomic bomb in the sports world...and in case you don't realize it, basketball and the NBA is huge worldwide. Dare I say it, the world loves hoops almost as much as it does soccer.

We don't even win the Olympic Gold medal every time anymore...losing to teams like Argentina, Greece, Spain, Puerto Rico, et al. And now our hometown Miami Heat will be the focus of basketball fans from Chile to China...!

A billion eyes will be looking at blimp shots of AAA and Biscayne Bay and all of us who love Miami will be proud.

Remember how many people throughout the world learned about Miami because of Miami Vice? Well The Heat may not fill condos, or get more Metrorail links built...but in my humble opinion--this will raise the stature of the city throughout the whole world!

And to the nice poster who mentioned Michael Jordon and the Bulls...well I actually DO believe that he changed the image of the city and raised the "coolness" of Chicago after winning 6 NBA titles.

The dream team free agent bonanza can only bring more attention to our beloved Miami---and that HAS to be good for business and more major downtown development.

Thanks for listening..

Epilogue....this never happens if the Heat still play in the old Miami Arena...so who knows what the future holds for the Marlins. AAA = good! Marlins Ballpark could end up being the home field for a dream team of baseball in 15 years...who knows?!?!?!