Dolphins MetLife Takeover Part 2: Michelle Kramer

Today we talk with Michelle Kramer, Co-Founder of Dolfans NYC.  She was gracious enough to give us here time prior to the Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets game on Sunday, or better known as the “MetLife Takeover”.

This is really the 2nd season that you all have done a “MetLife Takeover”.  Last year was pretty successful but this year you have over 730 attending the game and have demolished the single game out of town ticket sales record for MetLife.  How have you been able to reach so many fans?

"We are very proud to report that we also broke the record for overall Jets group ticket sales! Their highest number was 550. Our goal was to shatter that record and I’m so happy that we did! The promotion for these events is always word of mouth and social media. We post the info on our website, Facebook and Twitter and then we have lots of people who RT and re-post the details. They also reach out to the media, current/former players and people from the Dolphins organization who help spread the word. Last year’s successful outing didn’t hurt either. One week after last year’s MetLifeTakeover, I started receiving e-mails from people asking to be added to this year’s list!"

Last year you all took a bus to the stadium and still had people pour into the tailgate party how much money do you all spend on the tailgate and how do you get it there?  Who cooks it all?

"Last year we had 108 people take two buses. Everyone paid an extra $35 for round trip transportation, plus food and drinks. One of our founding members, Bryan, and I made a trip to Costco and bought everything we needed. Then at the tailgate, with the help of volunteers and grill donations, we cooked up food for over 100 people. This year, once I realized that we were closing in on 300 people for the tailgate (4 charter buses full of fans!), I knew we needed some help. We hired a great NY-based caterer who will be preparing the food for everyone who signed up. We didn’t charge enough to cover the caterer because at first we didn’t know we’d need him, so the club has had to contribute some money. Next year we’ll have to charge a little more, but it’s totally worth it."

You made your name in Dolphins circles as one of the Two Michelle’s.  While both “Two Michelles” and DolfansNYC are different entities it seems that you have more of a pulse on the Dolphins fan base through NYC.  What has this meant to you?

"2Michelle gave me an amazing foundation. It really made me appreciate the fans who live outside of Miami and still show up in enemy territory to cheer on the Phins. I always thought it would be great to have something cohesive in New York."

"I remember my first Web Weekend. Unfortunately, Miami lost to the Raiders, and towards the end of the game I looked up at the upper deck and there were tons of Oakland fans that had gathered in one section. That moment kind of helped inspire the MetLifeTakeover for me. I always knew that there were a lot of Dolphins fans in New York, and DolfansNYC gave us the opportunity to get them all together for game days. Seeing that vision come to fruition has been truly rewarding."

Dolfans NYC has generated more than $10,000.00 in charity drives.  Not only is that an astonishing amount but really is a credit to the DolfansNYC group itself.  How does it make you feel to see so many Dolphins fans rising to the challenge of giving back?

"It’s amazing, but not surprising. Since day one I knew that we had something special. The core group of fans who have been getting together since DolfansNYC started is made up of truly great people who embrace our vision of being more than just a fan club. They’re always happy to support our charitable endeavors and I’m proud to be a part of this great group!"

I  have known you for about six years now, Igor as well.  At first glance it would be hard to imagine the two of you developing something so undeniably special.  What was it that brought the two of you together?

"Both of us love watching the Dolphins games with other fans and when our original bar became a Patriots hangout, we both just jumped at the chance to build DolfansNYC. Igor and I have a great dynamic. We both bring different skills to the table and it just works. The division of responsibilities has always been organic and we support each other’s aspirations for the club."

When you and Igor decided to create DolfansNYC what was the original vision for the group and has it exceeded your expectations or is this only the beginning?

"Originally we just wanted a place where Dolphins fans could enjoy the games with volume on the TV’s and no harassment from Jets/Pats fans. We never really set goals or thought about what it should be. It just kind of grew and I couldn’t be prouder of what it has turned into. I can honestly say that this has completely exceeded any expectations I could have had!"

Michelle how would you classify your group?  Is it a “fan club”, a “group”, what best describes DolfansNYC outside of a website?

"I know it sounds cheesy, but most game days I’ll post a Facebook status saying that I can’t wait to cheer on Miami with my DolfansNYC family. Technically, yes, it’s a fan club. However, we have so many people who have been getting together with us for several years now, I can truly say that I have a football family."