Wade's Comeback Is A Money Maker For The Heat Franchise
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It was a buying frenzy at the Miami Heat team store inside the American Airlines Arena after Dwyane Wade's first night back on the court in Miami.
The hot item was the Wade number three game style jersey.
Some of the people who packed the store shelled out hundreds on aftermarket tickets just to be in the house to see the return of what many in Miami regard as a genuine icon.
Shopper Patrick Cetoute said, "He is gonna have that statue right over there. It is all about Wade, Wade County."
Heat fans lined up early to be "in the moment."
Many who made it out to the American Airlines Arena were decked out in brand new "Vice t-shirts."
"No better feeling than to have Mr. Wade County back," said fan Ron Torna.
Wade's return to the local sports scene is like a fresh breeze getting into the Heat's sails in its up and down season.
"This is huge for me. I retired when he left. I am coming out of retirement," said fan Nina Ruebello.
Back at the Heat store, sales of Heat merchandise was up 800 percent with orders from all over the world. The scene was a reminder that big star heroes can generate lots of dollars beyond the price of admission.
