The Miami Heat played their first game in the American Airlines Arena on January 2nd, 2000 — a 111-103 win over the Miami Heat — after moving from the Miami Arena located mere feet across Biscayne Boulevard.
The vibrant white circular building that rests on the waterfront of Biscayne Bay will remain, but the long-time name that Floridians have become accustomed to will not. The airline gave the following statement on its decision to not renew the naming rights:
American Airlines is proud to call Miami home. We are not seeking to renew naming rights for the arena, but remain the official airline of the Miami Heat and continue to invest in programs that support the community, where 13,500 American team members live and work.