HEAT, Jostens Team Up To Create 2012 NBA Championship Ring & Merchandise

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Miami HEAT today announced that it has teamed up with Jostens, a leading designer and producer of custom championship jewelry, to create the team's 2012 NBA Championship ring as well as a collection of championship jewelry. On October 30, 2012, the ring will be presented to HEAT players, coaches and members of the executive front office during an on-court ceremony at AmericanAirlines Arena hosted just before the HEAT opens the 2012-13 season against the Boston Celtics. Each custom ring will include symbols of the HEAT championship legacy and personalization that will enable the rings to serve as individual trophies for every player, coach and member of The HEAT Group.

"The selection of Jostens as the designer and producer of our 2012 Championship ring represents their unique ability to not only create the finest championship ring available, but also develop an integrated championship program to help celebrate our second NBA Championship," stated Nick Arison, Chief Executive Officer of The HEAT Group. "After meeting with Jostens it became clear that their team would deliver an exceptional championship ring and retail program for the HEAT and all of our fans. We are excited to receive our rings on October 30^th and look forward to what promises to be a memorable night."

The HEAT previously worked alongside Jostens in 2006 to produce the team's first championship ring.

"Our players, coaches and Basketball Operations staff put in a tremendous amount of hard work and energy to earn the 2012 Championship and this ring," said HEAT President Pat Riley. "This is a wonderful accomplishment for the entire HEAT Group. These championship rings will be a lifelong reminder for each person in our organization of our incredible season and the role they played in helping the team achieve the ultimate goal."

"We are honored to expand our relationship with the Miami HEAT, beginning with a stunning championship ring that tells the story of the 2011-12 season and complements the 2006 Championship team and ring," said Chris Poitras, Director of Sports Sales and Marketing at Jostens. "Jostens prides ourselves on creating exceptional championship experiences and we look forward to delivering the HEAT and their fans a program that will celebrate the 2012 Championship season while generating excitement for the upcoming season and beyond."

Immediately following the ring ceremony on October 30, HEAT Season Ticket Holders and HEAT fans everywhere will have access to championship merchandise collection. The championship collection will be available for purchase at the AmericanAirlines Arena as well as online at MiamiHoopsGear.com and Jostens.com.

About The HEAT Group
The HEAT Group is comprised of the National Basketball Association's Miami HEAT and the 19,600-seat AmericanAirlines Arena. The HEAT won its first championship in 2006 and its second in 2012. The 2012-13 season will be its 25^th season. The AmericanAirlines Arena is a state-of-the-art facility which hosts over 150 events per year. For more information, please visit HEAT.com and AAArena.com.

About Jostens
Minneapolis-based Jostens has been a leading designer and producer of championship products, programs and services that help athletic champions and their fans tell their stories and celebrate their achievements for over 60 years. The company's products also include school yearbooks and other memory book products and scholastic products such as class rings and graduation products. Jostens is a subsidiary of Visant Corporation, a marketing and publishing services enterprise servicing the school affinity, direct marketing, fragrance and cosmetics sampling and educational and trade publishing segments. 

SOURCE Jostens, Inc