Kaseya Center, the home of Miami Heat, will debut a “one-of-a-kind” scoreboard display for the new NBA season, which gets underway next month.
The arena will unveil a series of multi-million-dollar upgrades when the Heat hosts its yearly scrimmage on October 7. The renovations were carried out during the summer months.
The new scoreboard, which has been nicknamed ‘Fireball’, is a dynamic 3D replica of the team’s ball and flame logo. The flame ball features 2,525 square feet of LED screens, which are capable of variable content zoning allowing them to show one large image or multiple zones of content.
The flame ball is framed by four large video displays, two top ring displays and four underbelly displays. The scoreboard has been manufactured by Daktronics and has been conceptualised to “fit the room” of Kaseya Center’s intimate confines.
New corner displays, vomitory displays, stanchion displays and event floor clock displays have also been added throughout the arena. The displays total 11,000 square feet of additional digital space – a 585% increase over the previous system.
Kaseya Center has also been fitted with a new lighting system, consisting of new house, special effects, sports, perimeter bowl and centrehung lighting instruments. For Heat games, fans will be treated to a “boxing ring effect”, where the hardwood is blanketed in light and the lower and upper bowls are noticeably dimmer.
Other upgrades debuting at Kaseya Center will include a new audio system manufactured by L’Acoustics and installed by Solotech. The system boasts an almost 50% increase in speakers delivering 696,800 watts of sound.
The arena has also been fitted with new retractable seating, with around 2,100 seats upgraded in the lower bowl. The team has also introduced more secure pathways for teams to travel between their locker rooms and the court.
Eric Woolworth, president of The Heat Group’s business operations, said: “We take great pride in providing our employees, guests and community with the best sports and entertainment experience.
“The ‘Home of the Heat’ will celebrate its 25th anniversary this coming New Year’s Eve and during the past two and a half decades, the Arison family has continued to reinvest in Kaseya Center ensuring it remains a competitive, efficient and award-winning facility. These latest upgrades provide a huge boost to the fan experience no matter where you’re seated inside Kaseya Center.”
Local software company Kaseya acquired naming rights to the Heat’s home arena in April 2023 as part of a 17-year deal worth $117m (£88m/€105m). Kaseya replaced cryptocurrency firm FTX, whose deal was terminated after it filed for bankruptcy.
