Stores Prep To Get Heat Championship Gear Sold First
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Heat haven't won the championship yet, but only one more victory is needed. So, sporting goods stores in South Florida are already preparing to have the Heat championship gear available as soon as possible.
Sports Authority was the first to get in on the race to get gear to the fans that couldn't get into the AmericanAirlines Arena first.
The store announced Wednesday that their stores in South Florida would re-open immediately after a Heat championship win, if the Heat can do it. Sports Authority said they'd have officially licensed Miami Heat NBA Champions locker room gear on sale immediately after the game.
The Sports Authority stores will stay open for a bit after the victory and then re-open the doors again at 6 a.m. Friday morning for all the early risers.
Any time a team gets within one victory of a championship; t-shirts, hats, and other gear are made in preparation for a title win. It happens during the Super Bowl where both teams get championship apparel made. The losers gear is usually donated to poorer countries.
The gear is typically kept under tight wraps until near the end, or at the end of the title winning game.
Additionally, the NBA will practice a trophy presentation at the AmericanAirlines Arena at some point Thursday to prepare for a possible Heat victory to clinch the title.
If the Thunder wins Game 5 and the series moves back to Oklahoma City, the same process will happen there. Championship gear for the Thunder is not likely unless the Thunder can win Games 5 and 6.
