It wasn't too surprising that the team would eventually run back a look that sold 230,000 jerseys for a grand total of $25 million in revenue generated. But it did raise an eyebrow or two that Jimmy Butler was right there in the promotional material marketing its return. Because if there is one jersey in sports that's least safe to purchase, it's a Miami Heat No. 22 Butler jersey.
The horrific thought of an unsuspecting Heat fan buying a Butler jersey got us wondering: At this moment in time, what are the safest their-name-on-your-back jerseys for Miami sports fans to purchase? Looking over the landscape of the teams, the salary caps, and team prospects, we have some thoughts.
Bam Adebayo (second from left) models the Miami Heat "Vice" uniform alongside Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Miami Heat promotional photo
Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo, White "Vice"
If you remove Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat's plans, Tyler Herro is the team's biggest star moving forward. He puts the ball in the basket better than almost anyone else in the entire league. His personality is infectious. And if he weren't in the NBA, he wouldn't look out of place in a Dior ad. All that being said, if Butler has taught us (or Tyler) anything, it's that even though a player has two years remaining on his contract — as Herro will when next season begins — that doesn't mean he's happy about it, or a shoo-in to stick around.On the other hand, Bam Adebayo and Miami are joined at the hip for the foreseeable future. This past offseason, Bam signed a three-year, $165,348,864 guaranteed contract that will keep him in Miami through the 2028-29 campaign.
Some might say Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and Kel'el Ware are safer bets, but all those players will likely be trade bait for a star to put alongside Bam and Tyler. It's safe to say Bam, his $50 million-a-year contract, and the Heat are stuck with each other through the Trump presidency, making his jersey, specifically, the white "Vice" version, your safest bet.
Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov, White "Stanley Cup" Home
You have to love NHL contracts. Aleksander Barkov is set to make $10 million a season playing hockey in Sunrise until 2029-30. While Sam Reinhart has one more year on his contract, you can't go wrong purchasing the white home jersey that the most outstanding player in franchise history wore the season the team won the Stanley Cup.Yes, Barkov is pushing 30, but his game is as graceful as they come in a sport where players routinely play late into their 30s or even mid-40s. Scoop a Barkey jersey. No regrets.
De'Von Achane is a strong buy, jerseywise.
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Miami Dolphins: De'Von Achane, White Throwback
Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill are all signed for years to come. But there's a strong likelihood that neither will be on the field two years from now — Tyreek because he was traded long ago and Tua because of injuries. If you're looking for a safer play, a good choice — at least for the next two seasons, with a decent bet beyond — is De'Von Achane, the superstar running back who will enter next season as a household name, in large part because he is expected to be one of the top picks in every fantasy football draft.The Dolphins eventually have to stop beating around the bush and make the throwbacks permanent. Save yourself from an inevitable tweak or change of the current home/away Sea World employee uniforms, and go with the best throwback jersey in the entire NFL.
Inter Miami teammates hoist Lionel Messi following their win in the Leagues Cup final on August 19, 2023.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Inter Miami: Lionel Messi, Pink Kit
Lionel Messi might not be in Miami much longer, but nothing will change the fact that he put Inter Miami on the map globally. Messi will be the No. 13 Dan Marino jersey for Inter fans for decades to come. Never will a more talented or storied player play for the team, nor one who was more important to the brand.In 2035, it will seem like a fever dream that Messi once played for Miami on Commercial Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale (of all places). Those iconic pink Inter FC kits will hold up quite well.
Enjoy him while you can — but think twice before investing in a Sandy Alcántara jersey.
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Miami Marlins: Your Name, Throwback
Goodwills across South Florida have been built on the back of the secondhand Marlins jersey trade. So sorry, but we aren't going there.When it comes to the Marlins, anything is possible, but one thing is certain: buying a Sandy Alcántara Marlins jersey with the expectation of pointing at your back and hollering twinsies! at him from your seat in LoanDepot Park more than once in its life is a fool's errand.
If you need a Marlins jersey, Eury Pérez is your best bet. Like Alcántara, Pérez is extremely talented and recovering from arm issues. But he's not yet 22 years old, and he's not making $17.3 million a year. In other words, he's likely not going anywhere anytime soon.
