A Hollywood bar is complaining that the Miami Heat's struggles have cost it a boatload due to an ill-advised promotion. Whenever the Heat lose a game, patrons at the Whiskey Tango get a $25 bar credit.
John Todora, co-owner of Whiskey Tango, told CNBC yesterday his bar has lost $85,000 in discounts due to the promotion. While it has succeeded in bringing more customers to the bar, Todora doesn't seem to think it has been worth it thus far, as the Heat have limped to a 43-21 record.
“I need to get in touch with LeBron and ask him for a bailout,” Todora concluded.
In order to get the discount, patrons have to show up 30 minutes before a game and stay until its conclusion. However, not everyone can bear to stick around when the Heat struggle. "Some true Heat fans can’t stand it and leave early, other people figure the money isn’t worth being tired at work the next day and I think some people are just drunk and just forget,” Todora told CNBC.
The promotion seemed like a better idea last summer, when some were predicting the Heat would lose less than 10 games a season after LeBron James and Chris Bosh agreed to team up with Dwyane Wade.
But the idea quickly backfired for the Whiskey Tango. The bar lost $4,600 in receipts after the Heat's opening night loss to the Celtics. After last month's loss to the Knicks, the bar gave out $5,600 in discounts.
Considering the Heat's recent struggles (they have lost 5 in a row and 6 of their past 7) and their upcoming schedule (their next 5 games are against teams with winning records), it may be time for Todora to pull the plug on this promotion.
Sports
David Hill is a Miami native and the former owner of a youth replica Rony Seikaly jersey.
