Dolphins Stephen Ross wants more than a Super Bowl
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins, more specifically the city of Miami and Stephen Ross, were awarded Super Bowl LIV on Tuesday but Ross wants more than just a Super Bowl. He wants to win.
Miami last hosted a Super Bowl in 2010 for Super Bowl XLIV. Ten years later they will host their next one. The game awarded will be in 2010. The last game was a New Orleans Saints victory over the Colts.
Speaking with media following the announcement Ross let people know that while he loves being awarded the game, his first as the owner of the team and stadium, it’s winning that takes precedence.
"“I want a Super Bowl winner,” Ross said, via Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post. “That’s my legacy. That’s what I would love.”"
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was clearly relieved to have been involved in a winning Super Bowl bid yesterday, especially after it was mentioned he sunk $450 million of his own money into the project.
“I wish it was $450 million,” he replied, suggesting his renovations to Sun Life Stadium cost even more than initially reported.
But Ross also has another rather large piece of unfinished business, as he hopes to get his team into the game and not just his city.
No team in NFL history has played in a Super Bowl that they were hosting. Ross hopes that he can be the first but points out that he is really hoping to appear in one before then.
"“I’m looking to be the first — if I don’t play before.”"
The Dolphins owner has had little to pin his hopes on since becoming the owner of the franchise. His teams have yet to finish above .500 since he took over the team as the full time owner. In fact they have only finished at .500 twice in those years.
Ross has put up more than $450 million of his own money towards stadium renovations that helped secure the awarding of the game. The final phase is under way with the canopy currently being put in place. As part of the agreement with the city of Miami, the Super Bowl will bring in a lot of money from the city to help offset some of those costs even if the overall amount is minimal compared to what he has been paying.
Tom Garfinkel, the teams CEO, spoke over the weekend with some of the fansites, this one included and he mentioned cost overruns but assured everyone that the renovations were still on schedule and would be completed by the start of the season.
More from Dolphins News
- 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
- Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
- 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
- Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
- The Miami Dolphins should not take a running back in the draft
The Dolphins are not quite in an overhaul on the field but major changes have been made this off-season. Including the addition of a new head coach and coaching staff. Adam Gase is assembling a team in his vision. A vision that includes making the team faster and more physical and a lot less of the finesse style fans have seen in the past eight years.
While Ross may want a Super Bowl championship it’s not likely going to come any time soon. The first step is getting the players to buy into the new schemes and attitude. A change of culture permanently instead of the annual lip service that previous coaches have spewed.
After the team gets acclimated to this play they need to make the playoffs and hopefully win the division. Then they need to become consistent. It can’t simply be a one year venture into the post-season. Miami hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000 and have only been to the playoffs twice since then. Losing to the Baltimore Ravens twice in the Wild Card round.
The Dolphins have a long way to go but for the first time in a very long time it appears that everyone in the executive branch are walking while looking at the same page and that too has filtered down to the belief in the teams coaching staff.
Whether the Dolphins appear in a Super Bowl prior to the 2020 game or appear in the 2020 game will depend a lot on the success of Gase, his staff, and the current players. Including quarterback Ryan Tannehill who may not be with the team by then. For now, Ross at least has delivered on his promise to bring a Super Bowl back to Miami. It’s just not the one he want’s most of all. Not yet.