MIAMI (WSVN) — With the NBA playoffs coming to an end, Downtown Miami has taken full advantage of the national spotlight.
The NBA Finals have been a marketing dream for the Magic City. For many companies along Biscayne Boulevard, the Heat making it this far in the playoffs is more than a fan’s dream come true.
“Business has been amazing,” said Dimitris Harvales, owner of Elia Gourmet. “There’s a lot of traffic, a lot of energy around the area.”
Businesses like Elia Gourmet aren’t the only ones enjoying the limelight. Downtown Miami has received advertisement that can only come with such a big event.
“Priceless, it’s priceless.” said Alyce Robertson, Executive Director of the Miami Downtown Development Authority. “When I watch the game on TV, and I’m watching the shots of downtown and the skyline, you can’t pay for that kind of advertisement.”
With all the hype being brought on in the finals, media outlets from all over the world have called Miami their home for the last few days.
As the growth of basketball continues to expand, some tend to forget how big one sport can be. “I think people in the United States probably don’t realize how big basketball is globally,” said Andy Gallacher of Al-Jazeera English.
Many hope the party won’t just end after Game 7. If the Heat become NBA champs once again, Biscayne Boulevard will continue to be the source of revenue for businesses.
“We have the parade after,” Harvales noted. “The champs are going to come over here and parade around the area.”
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