Burnie
The Heat's fireball mascot since 1988.
Burnie is the mascot of the Miami Heat and has been with the NBA team since 1988. He is a rough, anthropomorphic version of the fireball on the team's logo: a full-body suit of orange fur with a green basketball for a nose. Burnie wears number 0 (or 00), usually in a black uniform, and switches to an all-white version of the suit during the playoffs to match the team's "White Hot" theme. During Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals in Miami, mixed martial artist Conor McGregor punched the man in the Burnie costume twice in a planned skit; the performer was treated in a hospital emergency room, and McGregor later said it was a skit and all was well between them.
Quick Facts
- Affiliation
- Miami Heat
Facts from the source article.
Background
Burnie was introduced as the Miami Heat's official mascot to bring extra fire to the arena. With a look inspired by the team's name and a personality that matches South Florida's vibrant culture, Burnie has become a staple at home games, community events, and charity appearances. Over the years, Burnie has developed signature routines, including t-shirt launches, dance-offs, and crowd-surfing stunts, making him one of the NBA's most recognizable mascots.
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