Burnie (mascot)

Mascot of the Miami Heat

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Burnie is the mascot of the Miami Heat, the NBA basketball team since 1988.[1] Burnie is a rough, anthropomorphic depiction of the fireball featured on the team's logo.

## Appearance

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The Burnie costume is a full-body suit. The body is orange fur, with orange feathers for hair. The "nose" is a green basketball. Burnie wears number 0 (or 00) for the Heat, typically in a black uniform, although he has also worn the Heat's red and white jerseys during playoff promotions. He also sometimes wears a white team T-shirt.

During the 2012 NBA Playoffs, in accord with the team's "White Hot Playoffs" theme, Burnie's costume temporarily changed to an all-white version of the same suit, with black trim around the jersey's text.

On June 10, 2023 Mixed martial artist Conor McGregor appeared at Game Four of the 2023 NBA Finals in Miami, Florida, to promote his pain relief spray in a planned skit with Burnie. McGregor proceeded to punch the man wearing the mascot costume once and then again when the man was on the ground, and subsequently the man was treated in a hospital emergency room. Most of the crowd in attendance booed McGregor for his actions.[2][3] On June 13, three days after the incident, McGregor clarified that "it was a skit," and that "and all is well" between the two.[4][5]

## Legal problems

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Burnie was sued in 1994 during an exhibition game in Puerto Rico. Burnie selected a woman from the audience, dragged her by the feet, and danced on the court with her during a time-out. The woman turned out to be the wife of a federal judge. The woman pulled away from Burnie and fell. Burnie faced 20 years in jail after being charged with aggravated assault and battery. Burnie was also sued prior for US$1 million due to the emotional distress the woman went through. The media ridiculed the case, and she appeared several times on late-night television. The case was settled for $50,000.[6]

Burnie's hijinks also led to another lawsuit in March 2015 and March 2017. On both occasions, people were injured by Burnie while he was performing. The same lawyer represented the two clients on the two occasions and both cases were settled. Both agreements remain confidential.[7]

## References

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1. ^ https://www.gettyimages.be/detail/nieuwsfoto's/burnie-the-miami-heat-mascot-hypes-up-the-fans-during-the-nieuwsfotos/71588583
2. ^ Zillgitt, Jeff (June 10, 2023). "Conor McGregor's punches send Miami Heat mascot to emergency room". USA Today. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
3. ^ "Report: Heat mascot sent to ER after bit with Conor McGregor". ESPN.com. June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
4. ^ "Conor McGregor Says Heat Mascot's Doing 'Good,' We Talked After Punch". TMZ. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
5. ^ Gaydos, Ryan (June 14, 2023). "Conor McGregor on mascot punch: 'It was a skit, and all is well'". Fox News. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
6. ^ "$50,000 Damages Allowed for Spectator Pulled from Seat by Miami Heat Mascot". Swlearning.com. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
7. ^ Lambiet, Jose. "Burnie's hijinks lead to another lawsuit against Miami Heat". Miami Herald.

## External links

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* Burnie Report
* Burnie Vision

* v
* t
* e

Miami Heat

* Founded in 1988
* Based in Miami, Florida

Franchise|

* History
* All-time roster
* Draft history
* 1988
* Records
* Head coaches
* Seasons
* Current season

Arenas|

* Miami Arena
* Kaseya Center

Personnel|

Owner(s)
Micky Arison
President
Pat Riley
General manager
Andy Elisburg
Head coach
Erik Spoelstra

G League affiliate|

* Sioux Falls Skyforce

Retired numbers|

* 1
* 3
* 10
* 23
* 32
* 33
* 40

NBA championships|

* 2006
* 2012
* 2013

Rivalries|

* Boston Celtics
* Indiana Pacers
* New York Knicks
* Orlando Magic

Culture and lore|

* Broadcasters
* Micky Arison
* Pat Riley
* Michael Baiamonte
* Burnie
* "Bring Em Out"
* "The Heat Is On"
* The Calhoun Shot
* Shaq–Kobe feud
* 15 Strong
* The Decision
* The Big Three
* 27 in a row
* The Shot
* Big Face Coffee
* Starting 5

* Category
* Commons

* v
* t
* e

NBA mascots

Eastern
Conference|

| Atlantic|

* Lucky the Leprechaun (Boston Celtics)
* no mascot (Brooklyn Nets)
* no mascot (New York Knicks)
* Franklin (Philadelphia 76ers)
* The Raptor / Stripes (Toronto Raptors)

|

Central|

* Benny the Bull (Chicago Bulls)
* Moon Dog, Sir CC (Cleveland Cavaliers)
* Hooper (Detroit Pistons)
* Boomer (Indiana Pacers)
* Bango / Bango Jr. (Milwaukee Bucks)

Southeast|

* Harry the Hawk (Atlanta Hawks)
* Hugo the Hornet (Charlotte Hornets)
* Burnie (Miami Heat)
* Stuff the Magic Dragon (Orlando Magic)
* G-Wiz / G-Man (Washington Wizards)

Western
Conference|

| Northwest|

* Rocky the Mountain Lion (Denver Nuggets)
* Crunch the Wolf (Minnesota Timberwolves)
* Rumble the Bison (Oklahoma City Thunder)
* Blaze the Trail Cat, Douglas Fur (Portland Trail Blazers)
* Jazz Bear (Utah Jazz)

|

Pacific|

* no mascot (Golden State Warriors)
* Chuck the Condor (Los Angeles Clippers)
* no mascot (Los Angeles Lakers)
* Go the Gorilla (Phoenix Suns)
* Slamson the Lion (Sacramento Kings)

Southwest|

* Champ / Mavs Man (Dallas Mavericks)
* Clutch (Houston Rockets)
* Grizz (Memphis Grizzlies)
* Pierre the Pelican (New Orleans Pelicans)
* The Coyote (San Antonio Spurs)

Former mascots
Dancing Harry
Hip Hop
Rufus
Skyhawk
Squatch
Wheedle

Mascots of the Year
2005: Clutch
2006: Jazz Bear
2007: Hugo
2008: Jazz Bear
2009: Rumble the Bison
2010: Bango
2011: Grizz
2012: Crunch the Wolf
2013: Clutch
2014: The Coyote
2015: Benny the Bull
2016: Stuff the Magic Dragon
2017: Stuff the Magic Dragon
2018: Jazz Bear
2019: Rocky the Mountain Lion
2020: The Coyote
2021: Clutch
2022: Chuck the Condor
2023: Harry the Hawk
2024: The Gorilla
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