The Miami Heat consistently draw sellout crowds. They even sell out in downtrodden seasons such as this past season.
South Florida fans just love the game of basketball. They come out to root for either their favorite Heat stars or their favorite players from visiting teams.
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One question facing the Heat as an organization is whether the community would support an expansion franchise in the WNBA. The WNBA used to feature a team in south Florida known as The Miami Sol. It failed miserably and lasted only three seasons.
The Heat were still in their youth and the area was not ready to support two basketball teams. In fact, the Heat could not draw people to the old Miami Arena as they were not a very good team back then.
The Sol lasted from 2000 to 2002. They were coached by the Heat’s first coach Ron Rothstein. The Heat gave up on the Sol and they disbanded.
When the league announced in 1999 they were going to expand into the Miami area, there was no fanfare as the league was devoid of stars unlike the league today. Who knows if the Sol would have survived if the league was as glamorous and as athletic as it is today.
Hailey Van Lith poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the No. 11 overall pick by the Chicago Sky in the WNBA Draft in New York on April 14, 2025.Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The only recognizable name on the Sol roster was Sheri Sam, who played at Vanderbilt. There were few marquee players like Cheryl Miller in the WNBA at the time and it was an uphill climb for teams to make money and sell tickets.
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It comes to no surprise Miami loves to support most of their local teams. They have always supported the Heat and sell out most of the Miami Dolphins home games. The Florida Panthers were selling out before they won the Stanley Cup in 2024.
The only team that does not garner support is the Miami Marlins. The Marlins are the lovable losers who play on the hallowed grounds on Calle Ocho where the famed Orange Bowl once stood.
There is no question Miami basketball fans would support the WNBA. The WNBA entry in Miami would no doubt sellout the Kaseya Center when stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith and others come to visit south Florida. Former University of Connecticut star Paige Bueckers would draw a nice crowd, as would New York Liberty great Breanna Stewart.
The University of Miami women’s basketball team averaged almost 2,000 fans a game the last two seasons. The women’s game is catching on in Miami and part of it is due to the Cavinder Twins, Hanna and Haley, who are social media influencers that bring people to the UM campus.
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The team could draw a big-named coach such as Dawn Staley from South Carolina or Kim Mulkey from LSU. It would be a plumb job for a women’s basketball coach. The coach would work with Pat Riley and the Heat organization and build a winner for owner, and cruiseship magnate, Micky Arison.
It would give south Florida yet another jewel in their crown as a big league city.
It is time for the WNBA to expand back to Miami. The Heat have the ability to financially support the franchise and there is a large talent pool the team can draw from.
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