The Dolphins New Home: Hard Rock Stadium

As CEO Tom Garfinkel noted a week ago, the Dolphins facility will soon no longer be referred to as “New Miami Stadium” and today the new naming rights were announced: the team will be playing at Hard Rock Stadium.

This will be the stadium’s 8th name since it first opened as Joe Robbie Stadium in 1987. An official announcement is expected for Wednesday or Thursday.

The stadium’s regular season debut will be on September 3rd when the Hurricanes open up against Florida A&M, assuming the renovations are complete by then.

There are three trademarked logos that are reportedly being reviewed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office:

Many companies place a large importance on the naming rights of a sports arena. This facility in particular is special, as it hosts the Orange Bowl each year, and will host Super Bowl XLIV in 2020.

There is some arising concern over the name because the company also owns many casinos, one of which is only 15 miles from the stadium (Seminole Hard Rock Casino).

The NFL seeks to protect its brand by avoiding any attachment to gambling in any form and for this, the stadium will not be attached to the casino in any way.

Though, Salguero reports the NFL approved the naming rights deal this week.

Tom Garfinkel recently shared the latest updates with the renovations, which look to be nearing completion:

Salguero also reports the naming rights deal could be for more than 12 years, adding some longevity to the oft-changing name of the Dolphins home.

The Dolphins will play their first regular season game in Hard Rock Stadium on September 25^th in week 3 against the Cleveland Browns.

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