Miami Herald Macy’s ad declares Heat ‘NBA champions’ (UPDATED)
Here's a better photo than earlier version. (Miami New Times.)
(Last update: 4:40 p.m. Added an anecdote Falcons’ fans should remember from the Super Bowl season.)
And now, from the, “Dewey Defeats Truman” file, we give you: “Congratulations Miami!”
In the mother — or maybe that should be “King James” — of all mistakes, the Miami Herald ran a near-full page Macy’s ad in Monday’s newspaper, announcing that Heat “championship” T-shirts and hats were going on sale.
This represents the closest LeBron James and the Heat actually will get to the title this season.
Miami lost Game 6 of the NBA finals and the series to the Dallas Mavericks Sunday night. It’s common for print publications to have two display ads ready to go after championship events. T-shirt manufacturers operate similarly (and then either destroy the shirts for the losing team or send them to charities overseas). What made this mistake unusual was the Heat trailed the series three games to two before
For those who didn't catch the historical reference.
Sunday and weren’t even in a position to clinch. So there was no reason to have the “Heat wins” ad ready.
Falcons fans should be able to relate to this. In January of 1999, the Herald ran a strip headline atop a Super Bowl special section that read: ”Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings, 6:25 P.M. Tonight.” The Falcons had upset Minnesota in the NFC title game two weeks earlier. The newspaper’s graphics department had already started to design the section and forgot to make the change.
In 2009, the Philadelphia Inquirer ran a Macy’s ad selling Phillies championship T-shirts. But the World Series was still going on — and of course, the Yankees went on to win the title.
The shirts pictured in the Monday’s ad show the Heat logo with the championship trophy. One says, “Champions,” and another reads, “Raise Another Banner.” The Herald posted a correction online Monday.
It’s not like most folks in South Florida haven’t been presumptuous about titles. When James and Chris Bosh signed as free agents and joined Dwyane Wade in Miami, the news was celebrated at a press conference, which was complete with lights, music and pyrotechnics. James, the guy with the, “Chosen 1″ tattoo across his back, himself promised eight championships.
Still waiting for the first.
By Jeff Schultz
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187 comments Add your comment
Nesi’s Nightcap for Monday, June 13 | WPRI.com Blogs
June 13th, 2011
5:07 pm
[...] ~ Whoops: Miami Herald runs a Macy’s ad congratulating the Heat on their NBA championship (AJC) [...]
Angel Leiva
June 13th, 2011
5:08 pm
King my arse ! there are no kings in Miami, just a bunch of whinners and fake actors simulating pouls when they feel hands on their bodies… This Miami Heat team is a disgrace for the sport of Basketball.
Shame on the media, writing about a bunch that lost the series… I’m tired of their biased crap.
Jose
June 13th, 2011
5:14 pm
All the teams sign players and each team feel they have an equal chance of winning the NBA Championship, but we all know only one team is crowned, so maybe next year the results will be diferent.
Jose
June 13th, 2011
5:17 pm
They were second best and what about the other teams that were eliminated in the first round. They must have been a disgrace to their city because they were booted in the first series.
ohsooclever
June 13th, 2011
5:44 pm
@ Bryan G.
I see what you did there…
Beast from the East
June 13th, 2011
6:11 pm
Premature disambiguation?
Bellesnana
June 13th, 2011
7:54 pm
Schmeckdawg, I always wondered why the Pretender never went to college. Now I know!! Too, too funny!
Lawrence Roche
June 13th, 2011
8:14 pm
I don’t watch basketball. But that “show” he had to put on to announce his “Coming and bring his talents” thing, was embarrassing. Who does he think he is? After all, it’s a TEAM sport. Someone forgot that. And I feel for Wade, he thought he was getting help. I thought I was going to stop breathing when the question was asked about losing, and LeDumb looked at Wade to answer!!!!! Sorry Miami, I’m a Detroit fan so losing is normal. But this whole deal, was a mark against the organization and pro sports itself. Don’t feel bad, Wade, you’re “buddy” left you hanging. Wouldn’t even take a pressure shot. Money well spent, huh?
jay
June 13th, 2011
9:12 pm
Dewey was a tough federal prosecutor. Would have made a good president.
Its Funny, Cause Its A Dying Medium - 103GBF THE RIVER CITY ROCKER
June 13th, 2011
9:25 pm
[...] more helping me realize I went the correct route with my journalism degree, is the ad found in the pages of the today’s Miami Herald. Macy’s seems to have a bunch of Miami crap to sell, and they’re going fake a win to [...]
Drexel Gal
June 13th, 2011
10:02 pm
Something else that happened as a result of the Falcons’ upset of the Vikings in the 1999 NFC Championship game … the NFL — the NFL COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE — sent the “official” Super Bowl documents to the Falcons in care of “Head Coach Dennis Green”. (Dennis Green was, at the time, the head coach of the VIKINGS. The Falcons’ head coach was Dan Reeves.)
Not a big NBA fan
June 13th, 2011
10:29 pm
Here’s why I am glad Miami lost: Dallas wins and all the talk to sports today is still about Lebron, etc. Everyone had already annointed Miami not just for this season but the next several. Dallas, Dirk, Jason Terry, and the whole team once again reminded us that everyone now and then, it’s not about one player or marketing “Superstars”. The NBA wanted so bad to have another Michael Jordan and instead has a team as champion. I am so glad we don’t have to hear about King Lebron or the rest of that crowd. How about giving the Mavericks some credit!!!!!
Not a big NBA fan
June 13th, 2011
10:30 pm
I should have checked my spelling.
Mr Haney
June 13th, 2011
10:32 pm
Sheldon Williams is the answer to their problems
AP
June 13th, 2011
10:59 pm
Le Punk, now has to wake up everyday like the rest of us and live one day at a time.
His Karma is having to deal with the fact he is a bonafide loser that cant win with his own team and now cant even boy in to a presumed bought championship.
He is a lost soul looking for direction , therefore he is far from being a leader , or the chosen one , he cant self created due to his huge ego and inmaterity.
Le freak , you know to learn to walk before you can run , and remember not to disrespect others , because Karma is a bitch.
Kevin
June 14th, 2011
1:52 am
well wait three former hawks help Dallas win it all Jason Terry and Kidd and ASG owners listen to Jason smith cry for money…..as For Labron James n wade no chance i said that Miami would choke a Title n did thing who will get the Blame..Not King James n court jester the Coach will be Fired soon..In cleveland his home was foreclosed On some one forget pay a payment…..Ooops James in street oh wait he in Miami now! Goin for another choke Title in 2011-12 season again…
Kevin
June 14th, 2011
2:14 am
King James knew his comin when had this stupid press meetin on espn sayin I goin to Miami win a NBA title this year cause they have the players n Owners who do…Now Today after the crap welcome forcin Heat fans pay 400 dollars see three ding bats walk thru smoke like a Miss america contest…and Game 6 10pt lost best chokin act since hawks were swept by Orlando so bad mayor ran to Ask ASG to sale The thrashers fast!…Atlanta was in St.louis before came here remember now never were started here people are sayin….so from 68 to 2011 Nothin yet ….Lebron James watch No matter how u set it the hands all ways fall down!
‘Miami Herald’ runs Macy’s ad congratulating Heat on NBA title win – USA Today | Get News, Articles and other Informations
June 14th, 2011
5:46 am
[...] of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution illustrated other examples where this happened, noting that the Herald made a similar mistake in January 1999. A headline advertising a Super Bowl special section read, “Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota [...]
ian
June 14th, 2011
7:00 am
What a loser!
Miami Herald Macy’s ad declares Heat ‘NBA champions’ | Bubba the Love Sponge® Show
June 14th, 2011
7:24 am
[...] http://www.ajc.com – And now, from the, “Dewey Defeats Truman” file, we give you: “Congratulations Miami!” [...]
the gooch
June 14th, 2011
8:30 am
thats ok get caught up in the Hollywood sensationalism of your gansta/ MTV basketball. I will be thoroughly enoying the Stanley Cup finals. You just don’t know what you are missing.
Who Cares?
June 14th, 2011
8:33 am
Enter your comments here
Gator Mike
June 14th, 2011
9:28 am
Hilarious, but nothing surprises me about what is printed in the Miami Herald. Although I cannot stand the NBA because of the antics of many of its players, I am very happy that the Heat lost.
Countdown: Vote LeBron or someone else on hate poll! | Jeff Schultz
June 14th, 2011
9:29 am
[...] cottage industry: people who want to save LeBron. The Miami Herald, which brought you the premature Macy’s ad selling Heat championship T-shirts, ran a story quoting sports psychologists who believe James needs help. And fast! Former Brave John [...]
tchance
June 14th, 2011
9:38 am
hey king…looks like somebody else “brought their talents to south beach” moron!!
Ken Strickland
June 14th, 2011
10:12 am
Success is a relative issue. If you focus exclusively on the negative aspect of Lebron, then you can criticize him for not winning a NBA title in 2 tries. However, if you look at him from a more openminded perspective, you’ll see that he’s successfully helped lead 2 different teams to the NBA finals over a very short period of time.
I’d much rather lose twice in the NBA finals than lose 3 consecutive yrs in the Conference semifinals. I GUESS IT’S ALL A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE AND EXPECTATIONS.
Ken Strickland
June 14th, 2011
10:16 am
WHO CARES stated, “THE HAWKS ARE PATHETIC”. That statement had to be inspired by what he saw while looking into a mirror.
Who Cares?
June 14th, 2011
11:37 am
Can Al lead the Hawks to conference finals Jeff?
Should the Hawks remain static Jeff?
Will the mighty Hawks ever be relevant Jeff?
Who Cares?
June 14th, 2011
11:39 am
Will certain people on this blog continue to provide lame excuses for 20 more years?
Who Cares?
June 14th, 2011
11:44 am
Lebron is a fantastic basketball player..
Lebron work on that midrange jumpshot 14 to 21 feet around the elbow and you will be unstoppable!!
Dont worry bout the post game, that midrange game will strike fear in your opponents..Its extremely hard to defend with your natural abilities…
Miami will be back to the dance?
Will the Hawks ever get there Jeff or will the streak continue for years to come?
Who Cares?
June 14th, 2011
11:46 am
@Ken,
your mirror is much larger than most..Enjoy the ride of excuses next season 2012…
Betty
June 14th, 2011
4:34 pm
That is hilarious! Way to go Mavericks!!!!!!!
Dayton, OH
Who Cares?
June 14th, 2011
5:17 pm
Chicago,Miami,Boston,Orlando,Knicks will have better records than the Hawks,Philly may give the Hawks a run for the 6th seed.. Collins is a 5x better coach as well as a player than Larry……
As long as Tito Jr, Josh, and Marvin better known as the 3 amigos are your featured bigs, dont expect much….50 wins probably not…
Mr. Logic should just ignore himself sometimes.. He’ll feel better…..lol
Matt/Bulls
June 14th, 2011
8:28 pm
Well,well u see we all know who is one,if not the best NBA player. The Team that went 72-10,the player that was there for his Team,team mates and his City Chicago! Didn’t take the big money until his last year. After winning 6 championship!! Took one summer to change his shooting,to the fade away which players couldn’t block. To playing with the flu many of times!!! Do I have to spell it out to u! He never would have a press conference to say where he was playing! Mr #23!! Like Mike if I could be like Mike!! And u know that’s the truth! Look at all he did! He gave Pat Raily nightmares!
Slimjr
June 15th, 2011
9:50 am
@lbj hata,
you got to do better than that..You dont have much time left..Make the most of this precious time..Go ahead and apologize for acting like you dropped out middle school…..and now your 40 years old and miserable..
Slimjr
June 15th, 2011
9:53 am
Derrick Williams is the answer @ the SF! He is what the Hawks have needed for years now….
Hawks+ Derrick= at least 55-57 wins….
Slimjr
June 15th, 2011
9:55 am
Somebody needs to write a book about the past 43 seasons of Hawks History..
probably add up to about 10 pages….lol