BangBros Center: Porn site bids $10 million to rename Miami Heat's NBA arena
A porn website has bid $10 million for the chance to rename one of the NBA's most popular arenas.
BangBros, a porn website based in Miami, announced the offer Thursday via its Twitter account. The company shared a release stating its intention to sponsor the stadium currently known as American Airlines Arena, which is home to the Miami Heat.
"Both the Heat and BangBros have become staples of the city, with huge fans of each. It doesn’t get more Miami than having the arena sponsored by BangBros," the company's statement said.
We've officially Submitted our $10,000,000 bid for the naming rights to the Miami Heat Arena. We wish to thank American Airlines for their past support of the @MiamiHEAT We intend to change the name to the BangBros Center aka 'The BBC' #BangBrosCarespic.twitter.com/YbhNattIm7
— BANGBROSOFFICIAL (@BangBrosDotCom1) September 12, 2019
The company's offer even came with a suggested name: BangBros Center, or BBC — a pornographic reference that, for the uninformed, can be easily looked up on Urban Dictionary.
It's unclear if the offer is being taken seriously, but the stadium does need a new name. American Airlines announced earlier this week that it would likely not be renewing its sponsorship of the stadium, with a new company expected to take over in 2020.
The stadium has been sponsored by American Airlines since it first opened, in 1999. During that time, it's become one of the NBA's most popular arenas: Last year, the Heat boasted the league's fifth-most attended home games.
The Heat have also won three NBA titles with American Airlines Arena as their home. Fans were quick to comment on how that legacy might change if the BangBros Center becomes a reality.
Indeed... Dad: Where going to Disney on Ice Son: At Bang Bros Arena 😲
— Vinny Accardi (@SprtsSalesProf) September 13, 2019
Kevin Harland:
It's a gorgeous evening here in downtown Miami as we look forward to a star-studded night of NBA action here at the BangBros Center! Here's Doris Burke reporting from the sideline... https://t.co/GN08hnNd1I— bryand (@HughesYourPapa) September 12, 2019
Jimmy Butler in Miami playing for a team in a newly renamed BangBros Center would be perfect. pic.twitter.com/sVYXiNHPeL
— Mark K (@mkhoops) September 12, 2019
I need the BangBros Center bid to win. pic.twitter.com/ichtXP8Zfw
— Eddie Garcia (@egarcia0921) September 12, 2019
Bang Bros is obviously not going to win their bid for the naming rights for the Heat arena, but the idea of the home of the Heat being named The BBC is beyond hilarious. Twitter would have jokes for a lifetime.
— James 🇺🇸🇰🇷 (@james_grambo) September 12, 2019
American Airlines currently pays around $2 million per year for naming rights, but a new sponsorship could reportedly exceed $6 million annually. Based on that number, BangBros' offer — while hilarious to some — could be taken seriously.
The arena's current sponsorship deal is up on Jan. 1, 2020. If a new company doesn't step in by then, Miami-Dade County, where the arena is located, will have to pay the $2 million itself.