The Miami Heat Don’t Care If You’re Cash Poor, They Want Their Money

The Miami Heat want their money and they want it now, economy be damned. Dwyane Wade’s employers are sending their lawyers after companies and individuals who signed up for season seats or sponsorships. Now, it’s no shock that a company wants to get its money for things their owed, even if it is something as frivolous as season seats to the Heat (as opposed to, say, a house). But we love the quotes that are coming from those people who got their ass handed to them in court. It’s like they’re shocked people want them to pay up for shit they signed up for, even convicted felons and a company that at one time was owned by Pudge Rodriguez.

Royal West Properties, a Miami-based land developer, was sued in August for failing to pay almost $41,547 for six seats in Loge Box No. 224 that cost more than $71,000 last season. Ronald Fernandez, the company’s lawyer, said the tough economy led to the dispute.

”My client is a service-based company and if money doesn’t come in from the people who have to pay, then its trouble,” Fernandez said. “Nobody’s getting paid. It’s tough.”

The Heat sued the Astri Group, the venture capital firm of convicted Pharmed owners Carlos and Jorge de Céspedes, to collect $55,930 for four eighth-row courtside lounge seats. The suit recently was settled ”amicably and confidentially,” said Isaac Mitrani, Astri’s lawyer. “We no longer have tickets.”

Mitrani isn’t surprised by the Heat’s efforts to get paid. ”In today’s economic environment, you see businesses across the board trying to collect money they think they’re owed,” he said.

MIR7, a now-dissolved company that was headed by one-time Marlins catcher Ivan Rodriguez, was sued for $27,020 over four courtside lounge seats that cost more than $86,000 a year.

”In this economic climate, it’s unfortunate [the Heat] would choose to be aggressive,” said James Lupino, a lawyer representing MIR7.

Um, maybe because they have to keep a payroll, just like you guys do (or used to). Acutally, they probably need it to pay off most of Shaq’s contract remainders, so the Heat are just like most of us paying off our credit cards—sadly paying off something that was worth it a long time ago, but no more.
Miami Heat sues seat holders who don’t pay up [Miami Herald]
Image [Wordpress]