Sports

Michael Baiamonte, the Miami HEAT in-arena voice set to retire

Published

1 year ago

October 25, 2025

MIAMI, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Michael Baiamonte, the Miami HEAT in-arena voice and the second longest tenured public address announcer in the NBA, is set to retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. Baiamonte has announced more than 1,500 professional basketball games including six NBA Finals. His warm and resonant baritone has electrified generations of HEAT fans and is one of the premier and most recognizable voices in the South Florida sports and entertainment market.

Whether elongating the words during decisive parts of the game with “STANNNNDDD UP AND MAKE SOME NOOOOIIISSSEEEE” or flexing his Spanish with the familiar “DOS MINUTOSSSSS” at the two-minute mark of every quarter, the creativity and style of Baiamonte’s signature calls have evolved into indelible touchpoints of Miami culture.

“In addition to the incredible level of energy and enthusiasm he has brought to each Miami HEAT game, for more than three decades Michael B’s professionalism and affable personality have endeared him to all of us in the front office and to HEAT fans everywhere,” said Michael McCullough, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer of The HEAT Group. “His voice will forever be a part of our franchise history.”

As a highly sought after emcee, Baiamonte has hosted a variety of events for corporations of all sizes, including award ceremonies, conferences and special events across a range of industries including sports, entertainment, hospitality, retail, academia, and politics.

“After giving this much thought and consideration, I have decided that this season, my 35^th with the Miami HEAT organization, will be my last,” said Baiamonte. “I want to thank the Miami HEAT for their understanding and support of my decision as I move to the next chapter of my life with my wife Natalie and our daughters. I also want to say THANK YOU to all of HEAT Nation. For all of the love you have shown me, I am forever grateful. During my final season, let’s continue to make some more noise, share some more laughs, and, as always, give all our collective support to our Miami HEAT. LET’S GO HEAT!”

Baiamonte’s first HEAT game dates back to the team’s second season at the old Miami Arena, when he stepped in as the backup announcer on February 21, 1990. In 1991-92, he was hired full time. In 2019, he was tapped to call the NBA All-Star Weekend’s activities in Charlotte, North Carolina. His voice also appears in the NBA 2K’s Take-Two Interactive game. Other seminal experiences during Baiamonte’s career have included:

Hosting the 2006 NBA Finals Game 6 Road Rally at Kaseya Center when the HEAT defeated the Dallas Mavericks to win their first NBA Championship.
Announcing Ray Allen’s 3-pointer with seconds left in regulation of Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals to send the game into overtime.
Announcing Shaquille O’Neal’s arrival to Miami as he exited an 18-wheeler truck with a squirt gun spraying the crowd in front of Kaseya Center.
Hosting the Welcome Event in July 2010 as the HEAT ushered in the Big 3 era.
Announcing the starting lineup introductions of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade’s first home game.
Hosting three NBA Championship Celebrations following the championship parades in 2006, 2012 and 2013.

Beginning with tomorrow’s home opener, the HEAT will celebrate 35 Seasons of Michael Baiamonte through a season long campaign, Mike Drop. A nationwide search for his replacement will commence in the coming weeks.

Central Florida News

Osceola Magic Set Franchise Steals Record in 97-89 Season-Opening Win

Published

26 minutes ago

November 11, 2026

FNN NEWS

Osceola Magic guard JD Davison, No. 4, dribbles between Oklahoma City Blue defenders as Magic teammate No. 22 looks on.

Osceola Magic guard JD Davison (4) drives between Oklahoma City Blue defenders during opening-night action in Kissimmee, Fla. Photo by Bernie Walls / Florida National News.

Davison scores 26 points, Branham adds 23 and Osceola records 23 steals to open its season with a victory at Silver Spurs Arena.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Osceola Magic opened their season with a record-setting defensive performance, collecting 23 steals and forcing 35 turnovers in a 97-89 victory over the Oklahoma City Blue on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Silver Spurs Arena.

JD Davison scored a game-high 26 points and Malaki Branham added 23 as Osceola established a franchise record for steals and matched its record for opponent turnovers. Osceola Magic

Defense drives the comeback

Oklahoma City led 31-22 after the first quarter and 44-43 at halftime. Osceola pulled even at 70 entering the fourth quarter, then outscored the Blue 27-19 over the final period.

The victory gave Osceola a 1-0 start and dropped Oklahoma City to 0-2. Zhaire Smith led the Blue with 19 points, while Christoph Tilly contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. gleague.nba.com

Osceola’s defensive pressure helped offset Oklahoma City’s early advantage. The Blue finished just 5 of 29 from 3-point range, shooting 17.2%.

Six Magic players recorded multiple steals, led by Johnell Davis’ career-high six — one short of the franchise record. Davison collected four, Jarron Cumberland had three, and Ace Baldwin Jr., Branham and Mike Sharavjamts each added two.

Osceola Magic’s Malaki Branham, wearing a black No. 22 jersey, dribbles low while driving alongside an Oklahoma City Blue defender.

Malaki Branham leans into his drive while keeping his dribble low as an Oklahoma City Blue defender guards him during the Osceola Magic’s season opener. Photo by Bernie Walls / Florida National News.

Davison and Branham lead the offense

Davison and Branham combined for 49 points, accounting for more than half of Osceola’s scoring.

Au’Diese Toney contributed 14 points in his return to Osceola, including a late 3-pointer that helped secure the victory.

Davis provided another boost off the bench with 11 points and a career-best-tying four assists, complementing his disruptive defensive performance.

Sharavjamts makes professional debut

Sharavjamts posted a team-best plus-12 rating in 24 minutes during his professional debut. Osceola outscored Oklahoma City by 12 points while he was on the floor. Osceola Magic

What’s next for the Osceola Magic?

Following a scheduled road matchup with the Memphis Hustle on Tuesday, Nov. 10, Osceola returns to Silver Spurs Arena to host the Mexico City Capitanes on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Member News

The Magic’s challenge will be to sustain the defensive pressure that helped them overcome an early nine-point deficit in the opener.

Sports

LIV Golf to begin winding down operations Nov. 9 after five years, $5 billion spent

Published

4 days ago

November 7, 2026

FNN SPORTS

LIV Golf sign in a landscaped setting in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Florida National News

NEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – LIV Golf plans to begin winding down operations Monday, Nov. 9, following five years and more than $5 billion in spending.

Attorney Matthew Williams outlined the league’s plans during a bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in New Jersey. The process includes selling its remaining assets.

“We believe the wind down path is the best path,” Williams told the court.

LIV Golf confirmed the decision after a proposed restructuring deal fell through. The league said it will continue considering alternatives during the shutdown process.

Basketball

USF Women’s Basketball Opens Season With 80–54 Victory Over Furman

Published

5 days ago

November 5, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — On Monday November 2, at the Yuengling Center, the South Florida women’s basketball team opened with a successful debut undernew head coach Kristy Curry.

The Bulls established control early with a 9–0 opening run, taking a 27–12 lead after the first quarter. Furman narrowed the margin before halftime, but South Florida maintained a 46–32 advantage heading into the break.

A dominant third quarter proved decisive, as USF outscored Furman 23–9 to extend its lead to 69–41 entering the fourth.

Balanced Scoring Leads the Bulls

Stefanie Ingram led South Florida with 15 points, followed by Hannah Kohn with 13 and Kendall Puryear with 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Bulls placed six players in double figures, shot 51.6 percent from the field and controlled the boards with a 48–25 rebounding advantage.

A Winning Debut for Kristy Curry

The victory marked Curry’s first win leading South Florida after arriving from Alabama.

Ahead of the season opener, Curry expressed confidence in the program’s potential:

“I’m so excited to be here. I truly think the sky’s the limit at USF.”

— Kristy Curry, USF Head Coach, in pregame remarks published by USF Athletics.

South Florida (1–0) will face Belmont on Friday, November 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.

– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com