Dolphins get a new stadium -- name
The Miami Dolphins Monday announced three major initiatives that will position the team to reclaim its tradition of excellence, augment their leadership role in professional sports and entertainment, reinforce the team's commitment to its fans and to the South Florida community and enhance the fans' experience at their home games.
Those initiatives will be privately funded and will include major renovations and additions to the stadium, a new stadium name and a redesigned and expanded organizational structure designed to position the Dolphins at the absolute cutting edge of sports franchises.
"The Dolphins have always been in the forefront of the sports and entertainment field, and we have developed a series of plans designed to reinforce that position of leadership," said Dolphins Owner H. Wayne Huizenga. "We are committed to providing our fans and the community with a championship product on the field, state-of-the-art facilities and the most enjoyable experience possible at our events.
"The first step was naming Nick Saban as head of our football operations, and we've already seen the enthusiasm he's brought to our franchise. Now we're introducing three initiatives that will ensure our competitive position in the NFL and serve our fans and the South Florida community as never before. They will elevate the Dolphins brand even more by making our organization and our stadium industry leaders in every respect.
"The first of these initiatives is to immediately rename the stadium Dolphins Stadium. It's the home of a widely respected sports franchise, and the Dolphins tradition of excellence should be underlined by having the team name carried on one of the nation's premier facilities. Further, the name Dolphins Stadium will not only reinforce the Dolphins brand locally, but will extend it nationally and internationally through the world-class events that are hosted there.
"Then it's our vision to transform the stadium into a year-round destination and a venue that is ready-made for the Super Bowl, Orange Bowl and other major national and international events. These changes will not only enhance the fans' enjoyment at our games, but also will attract major events to South Florida more frequently and boost the area's economy while these events use the stadium and its surrounding facilities."
The renovation will be rolled out in three phases because the stadium's existing commitment to the Florida Marlins prevents a more immediate implementation plan. Projects currently under consideration for Phase I will include a remodeled Club Level and luxury suites, new state-of-the-art scoreboards, covered exhibition space that would be event-ready and would serve as an additional parking structure adjacent to the stadium, better traffic flow in and out of the stadium, improved pedestrian access and relocation of the Dolphins business offices to the stadium. These privately funded enhancements are estimated to cost between $100 to $125 million.
Phase II, which could not commence until the relocation of the Marlins, would potentially include expansion of the stadium concourses, a permanent or retractable roof, additional seating capacity, greatly expanded exhibition space and parking structures to augment those built in Phase I, upgraded press capabilities for major events, video studios, and fiber optic and satellite communications. This phase also could include retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment areas in a Main Street format. These improvements would cost approximately $200 to $300 million in private funds.
Phase III projects under consideration will serve other elements of the South Florida community on a daily basis and provide economic stimulation and an increased tax base. These proposals include a mixed use development of an office complex, a hotel that would enhance the stadium's ability to attract world-class sports and entertainment events and potentially a residential component. Also under consideration are additional destination retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment areas, also in a Main Street format, and a Hall of Fame.
To manage these operations, Huizenga is creating an innovative sports and entertainment company, Dolphins Enterprises, LLC. This company will serve as an umbrella for all of the Huizenga sports and entertainment operating entities, including sports operations, business operations, stadium operations, stadium development and construction, stadium events and exhibitions, sales and marketing, and retail and merchandising.
Dolphins Enterprises will be headed by a new Chief Executive Officer who will report directly to Huizenga. Dolphins Head Coach Nick Saban also will report directly to Huizenga and will work with the new CEO on a day-to-day basis.
The new CEO is expected to be named shortly, Huizenga said.
Dolphins Enterprises has hired the Hammes Company to develop the master concept for the renovations and additions to Dolphins Stadium. Hammes was involved in the renovation of Lambeau Field in Green Bay and the development of Ford Field in Detroit, and serves as a consultant to the NFL on numerous projects, including Los Angeles stadium initiatives. Hammes will be complemented by a world-class team of architects, planners, engineers and design professionals that will be selected shortly. Initial conceptual plans will be ready in the coming weeks, the Dolphins said.
"We have an energetic and aggressive plan for a new era for the Miami Dolphins, which started by bringing Coach Saban on board," Huizenga said. "The steps announced today continue that overall vision to serve our fans and the South Florida community in the best way possible, provide them the best entertainment experience and create the infrastructure to position us for dynamic growth that will take our franchise to the next level." (source Miami Dolphins)
Those initiatives will be privately funded and will include major renovations and additions to the stadium, a new stadium name and a redesigned and expanded organizational structure designed to position the Dolphins at the absolute cutting edge of sports franchises.
"The Dolphins have always been in the forefront of the sports and entertainment field, and we have developed a series of plans designed to reinforce that position of leadership," said Dolphins Owner H. Wayne Huizenga. "We are committed to providing our fans and the community with a championship product on the field, state-of-the-art facilities and the most enjoyable experience possible at our events.
"The first step was naming Nick Saban as head of our football operations, and we've already seen the enthusiasm he's brought to our franchise. Now we're introducing three initiatives that will ensure our competitive position in the NFL and serve our fans and the South Florida community as never before. They will elevate the Dolphins brand even more by making our organization and our stadium industry leaders in every respect.
"The first of these initiatives is to immediately rename the stadium Dolphins Stadium. It's the home of a widely respected sports franchise, and the Dolphins tradition of excellence should be underlined by having the team name carried on one of the nation's premier facilities. Further, the name Dolphins Stadium will not only reinforce the Dolphins brand locally, but will extend it nationally and internationally through the world-class events that are hosted there.
"Then it's our vision to transform the stadium into a year-round destination and a venue that is ready-made for the Super Bowl, Orange Bowl and other major national and international events. These changes will not only enhance the fans' enjoyment at our games, but also will attract major events to South Florida more frequently and boost the area's economy while these events use the stadium and its surrounding facilities."
The renovation will be rolled out in three phases because the stadium's existing commitment to the Florida Marlins prevents a more immediate implementation plan. Projects currently under consideration for Phase I will include a remodeled Club Level and luxury suites, new state-of-the-art scoreboards, covered exhibition space that would be event-ready and would serve as an additional parking structure adjacent to the stadium, better traffic flow in and out of the stadium, improved pedestrian access and relocation of the Dolphins business offices to the stadium. These privately funded enhancements are estimated to cost between $100 to $125 million.
Phase II, which could not commence until the relocation of the Marlins, would potentially include expansion of the stadium concourses, a permanent or retractable roof, additional seating capacity, greatly expanded exhibition space and parking structures to augment those built in Phase I, upgraded press capabilities for major events, video studios, and fiber optic and satellite communications. This phase also could include retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment areas in a Main Street format. These improvements would cost approximately $200 to $300 million in private funds.
Phase III projects under consideration will serve other elements of the South Florida community on a daily basis and provide economic stimulation and an increased tax base. These proposals include a mixed use development of an office complex, a hotel that would enhance the stadium's ability to attract world-class sports and entertainment events and potentially a residential component. Also under consideration are additional destination retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment areas, also in a Main Street format, and a Hall of Fame.
To manage these operations, Huizenga is creating an innovative sports and entertainment company, Dolphins Enterprises, LLC. This company will serve as an umbrella for all of the Huizenga sports and entertainment operating entities, including sports operations, business operations, stadium operations, stadium development and construction, stadium events and exhibitions, sales and marketing, and retail and merchandising.
Dolphins Enterprises will be headed by a new Chief Executive Officer who will report directly to Huizenga. Dolphins Head Coach Nick Saban also will report directly to Huizenga and will work with the new CEO on a day-to-day basis.
The new CEO is expected to be named shortly, Huizenga said.
Dolphins Enterprises has hired the Hammes Company to develop the master concept for the renovations and additions to Dolphins Stadium. Hammes was involved in the renovation of Lambeau Field in Green Bay and the development of Ford Field in Detroit, and serves as a consultant to the NFL on numerous projects, including Los Angeles stadium initiatives. Hammes will be complemented by a world-class team of architects, planners, engineers and design professionals that will be selected shortly. Initial conceptual plans will be ready in the coming weeks, the Dolphins said.
"We have an energetic and aggressive plan for a new era for the Miami Dolphins, which started by bringing Coach Saban on board," Huizenga said. "The steps announced today continue that overall vision to serve our fans and the South Florida community in the best way possible, provide them the best entertainment experience and create the infrastructure to position us for dynamic growth that will take our franchise to the next level." (source Miami Dolphins)
posted by SportsDoc at 10:28 PM
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