Willa Rowe is a contributing writer at Polygon, covering games and entertainment. She is a New York-based journalist and critic whose work has been featured in Kotaku, Digital Trends, the A.V. Club, GamesRadar+, and more. She also co-hosts the Girl Mode podcast.
The NBA team will play as Vice City to celebrate the release of Rockstar’s hotly-anticipated game
Rockstar Games has revealed the next collaboration in its increasingly extravagant marketing campaign for Grand Theft Auto 6. The company already has a $3 million deal with Miami, the inspiration for the game’s Vice City setting, and has extended the partnership to the city’s NBA team. For one night only, the Miami Heat will play as Vice City.
“A Night in Vice City” will be held on Nov. 18, the day before GTA 6‘s release. The Heat will play the Milwaukee Bucks in new uniforms on a special hardwood court built specifically for the evening. The Heat’s stadium, the Kaseya Center, also received a makeover and now sports a “Welcome to Vice City” sign on the roof.
The event will involve “special game programming and live elements throughout the night,” according to a press release from Rockstar. The Vice City takeover will be broadcast live on ESPN on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. EST.
All the GTA 6 x Miami Heat collaboration merch
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Image: Rockstar Games / Miami Heat -
Image: Rockstar Games / Miami Heat -
Image: Rockstar Games / Miami Heat
Naturally, The GTA 6 x Heat crossover comes with a lot of new merch. The Miami Heat’s online storefront currently has a Vice City collection with exclusive clothing for the collaboration. Here’s the entire list of offerings:
- Court Culture “Vice City Grill” Oversized Tee — $55
- Court Culture x Duvin “Vice City Postcard” Tee — $55
- Court Culture “I ❤️ Vice City” Crop — $45
- Court Culture “Vice City Souvenir” Oversized Tee — $55
- Court Culture x New Era “Vice City Logo” Snapback — $50
- Court Culture x New Era “Vice City Goodtime State” Snapback — $50
- Court Culture “Vice City” Hoodie — $100
- Court Culture x Duvin “Welcome to Vice City” Crewneck — $110
- Court Culture “Welcome to Vice City” Tee — $45
- Court Culture x Duvin “Vice City Pool Service” Pocket Tee — $55
- Court Culture x New Era “Vice City Logo” Dad Cap — $48
- Court Culture x New Era “Vice City Billiards” Snapback — $50
The Heat’s special Vice City jerseys haven’t been shown off yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see replicas go on sale once they’re revealed.
Grand Theft Auto 6 will be released on Nov. 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.