ESPN will go over the maximum allotment of Heat games this season to cover the team’s historic winning streak.
ESPN announced Friday that it has added Monday’s Heat/Magic NBA regular season game. The Heat will be seeking their 27th straight victory if they are able to get past the Bobcats on Saturday. Monday’s game will air at 7 PM ET, replacing coverage of the NIT.
Including Wednesday’s previously scheduled Heat/Bulls game, the Heat had already reached the maximum number of appearances on ESPN this season (10). In order to go over the max, ESPN’s telecast will be subject to local blackouts in Miami and Orlando. Of note, the Heat are also one game away from hitting the max on TNT and ABC.
While Monday’s game will push the Heat over the max, the Magic will be making their first appearance of the season on ESPN/ABC or TNT. Orlando was slated for two TV appearances when the NBA schedule was released in July, but both were taken off the schedule after the Dwight Howard trade.
Should the Heat continue their streak into the March 31 game against the Spurs, do not expect ESPN to pick up the game. The network already has the Rangers/Astros MLB Opening Night game scheduled for ESPN and the Women’s NCAA Tournament Elite Eight slotted for ESPN2.
(Friday’s news from ESPN Media Zone)
