Miami Dolphins Football Club, commonly referred to as Miami Dolphins or simply Dolphins, is one of the most iconic and successful American football clubs in the world. Founded in 1965, it is based in Miami Gardens, Florida, and plays its home matches at the famous Hard Rock Stadium, which has a seating capacity of over 65,000.
The Miami Dolphins have a rich history, boasting two Super Bowl titles, five conference championships, and numerous division championships. The club enjoyed its most successful era under legendary coach Don Shula, who led the Dolphins to their only two Super Bowl victories and remains the winningest coach in NFL history.
Known for their aggressive style of play, the club has nurtured some of American football’s greatest talents, including Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Dan Marino, and Jason Taylor. Despite recent challenges and inconsistent performances, Miami Dolphins remains one of the world’s most valuable American football clubs, with a global fan base and a rich tradition that continues to influence American and world football.
Miami Dolphins is one of the most popular football teams in the NFL, with one of the highest average home attendances in the league. The team states that its worldwide fan base includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the Miami Dolphins Fan Club (MDFC), in at least 24 countries. The team takes advantage of this support through its nationwide summer tours. Sports industry consultants Deloitte estimate that Miami Dolphins has 75 million fans worldwide. The team has the third highest social media following in the world among sports teams (after Barcelona and Real Madrid), with over 82 million Facebook followers as of July 2023. A 2014 study showed that Miami Dolphins had the loudest fans in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins was formed in 1966 as an expansion team in the American Football League (AFL) by a group led by Joe Robbie and actor-comedian Danny Thomas. The team initially faced stiff competition from other more established teams, but on 20 November 1966, they competed in their first recorded match; wearing the team's original colours—orange and aqua—they were defeated 23–14 by the Oakland Raiders.
In February 1970, the Dolphins made the big move of hiring Don Shula, who demanded an unprecedented level of control over team selection, player transfers, and training sessions. Shula led the team to Super Bowl appearances in 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1982, and to Super Bowl victories in 1972 and 1973. In 1972, the team had the only perfect season in NFL history, winning all 14 of its regular season games, two playoff games and Super Bowl VII, defeating the Washington Redskins 14–7.
On 5 January 1996, Shula announced that he was to retire as head coach at the end of the football season, but would remain with the Dolphins as an executive vice president. He retired as the winningest coach in NFL history. The club announced the next day that Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt would replace him from 1 February, having signed a four-year contract. Interim head coach Jim Bates took over 10 months later, on 10 November 2004, when Wannstedt resigned after a poor season in which the club failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Originally funded by Joe Robbie, the Miami Dolphins became a part of the American Football League (AFL) in 1965. The team was then acquired by a group of investors led by Stephen M. Ross in 2009. Ross, who is the majority owner with a 95% stake, purchased the team and stadium for $1.1 billion. Ross made major renovations to the stadium and rebranded it as Hard Rock Stadium after securing a sponsorship agreement.
Before Ross's acquisition, the team was owned by Wayne Huizenga, who purchased the team in 1994. Huizenga, a businessman and entrepreneur, was responsible for the team's move from the Orange Bowl to the venue now known as Hard Rock Stadium. Under Huizenga's ownership, the Dolphins experienced periods of success, including a perfect season and multiple Super Bowl appearances.
Following Huizenga's tenure, the team was briefly owned by Stephen M. Ross and a group of celebrity minority owners, including Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, and Venus and Serena Williams. Ross and the ownership group have focused on improving the fan experience at Dolphins games, investing heavily in stadium renovations and enhancements. Despite these efforts, the team's performance on the field has been inconsistent, leading to frequent changes in coaching and management staff.
As of today, the Miami Dolphins are estimated to be worth over $2.5 billion, according to Forbes. This valuation is a testament to the team's enduring popularity and the success of the NFL as a whole. Despite challenges on and off the field, the Dolphins remain a beloved institution in South Florida and a cornerstone of the Miami sports scene.
The financial management of the Dolphins has seen its ups and downs, but the organization has consistently shown a commitment to its fans and the Miami community. With the financial backing of Stephen Ross and the dedication of the team's management, the Dolphins have the resources to compete at the highest level in the NFL.
The Miami Dolphins are one of the most accomplished teams in the NFL in terms of trophies won. The team's first trophy was the AFL Championship, which they won in 1971. In 1972, the Dolphins won their first league title and became the only team in NFL history to finish a season undefeated and untied from the opening game through the Super Bowl (Super Bowl VII). Since then, they have gone on to win two Super Bowl Championships, five Conference Championships, and 13 Division Championships. Those titles have meant the Dolphins have appeared a total of 23 times in the NFL playoffs.
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Miami Dolphins Official Site: Comprehensive history, statistics, and news about the Miami Dolphins Football Club https://www.miamidolphins.com/
Forbes: Detailed financial and ownership information about the Miami Dolphins https://www.forbes.com/teams/miami-dolphins/
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