Miami Heat Hired Gale Nelson as Announcer
The local non-profit leader will debut at the Kaseya Center scrimmage this Tuesday.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
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The Miami Heat has selected long-time Miami resident Gale Nelson to serve as the new public address announcer. He steps into the role following the retirement of Michael Baiamonte, who held the position for 35 seasons.
Why it matters
The team sought a distinctive voice to replace a local fixture who called the action during all three of the franchise's championship runs. This transition marks the end of a decades-long era for fans inside the Kaseya Center.
Gale Nelson joins the Heat after 33 years as a Miami resident and 8 years leading Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. He replaces Michael Baiamonte, who provided the voice for the arena over 35 seasons and three championship titles.
The players
Gale Nelson
The 57-year-old president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami who was named the new Heat announcer.
Michael Baiamonte
The long-time announcer who served the Miami Heat for 35 seasons before his retirement.
The details
Nelson was chosen following a competitive audition process, which he entered after being encouraged to apply. He will maintain the signature Dos minutos call established by Baiamonte. Fans can hear his debut at the upcoming Red, White and Pink Game, with his first home preseason game scheduled for October 8 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Timeline
September 2026: The Miami Heat announced Gale Nelson as the new public address announcer.
October 8, 2026: The Heat plays its first home preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Beyond the 305
The Heat's selection concludes the 35-season tenure of Michael Baiamonte, a stretch that defined the sonic identity of the team during its three championship eras. This move resets a decades-long precedent for the role of the public address announcer at the Kaseya Center.
Fans attending games at the Kaseya Center will hear a new voice leading the crowd starting this Tuesday. You can catch the debut of the new announcer at the team's Red, White and Pink intrasquad scrimmage.
The takeaway
Gale Nelson will continue to lead Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami while taking on his new role with the Heat. Look for his debut at the Red, White and Pink Game to see how the team integrates his voice into the fan experience.
Further reading
Keep up with notable local leadership changes by visiting our People section.
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Should local sports teams prioritize community figures for public address announcer positions?
