The Miami Heat’s most exclusive fundraiser, Black Tie on Ocean Drive, took place last weekend to benefit the Miami Heat Charitable fund, supporting programs for the betterment of at-risk families in South Florida. Tickets go for $10,000 a-piece and include not only a sumptuous cocktail hour and dinner, a private concert performed this year by Toni Braxton, but also the chance to rub elbows with the Miami Heat elite including Dwyane Wade, finance Gabrielle Union, Micky Arison and Pat Riley.
The event is sponsored by Hublot, and they donated a special watch for auction: the Classic Fusion Dwyane Wade. TV host and court-side reporter Jason Jackson held the auction, which saw three timepieces auctioned for $30,000 apiece.
Additionally, Miami Heat President Pat Riley spontaneously pledged $5,000 to the team’s Home Strong military initiative. motivating other guests to do the same to the tune of $75,000. In all, the evening raised over $1,100,000 for the Heat Charitable fund.
In exchange for their donation, guests were treated royally—kicking off the evening with a swanky red-carpet cocktail reception in the Betsy hotel with special starting dishes prepared by BLT Steak celebrity chef Laurent Tourondel. A dinner by Smith & Wollensky followed, as did a high-energy private concert by R&B songstress Toni Braxton who played all her best songs. She opened up with “You’re Making Me High” while Co-Captains Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem ushered her onto the stage where she was joined by the entire team.
“For seven years, we have hosted this intimate gathering where our guests join our players, coaches and their families for a special experience,” said HEAT President, Pat Riley. “Bringing the event to Ocean Drive in South Beach resulted in a unique and very memorable evening. The best part is that we raised quite a bit of money for the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund and its beneficiaries.”
