January 10, 200521 yr Pro Player Stadium is no more. Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga today will roll out plans that immediately rename the stadium Dolphins Stadium and set the stage for a major refurbishing project that is estimated to cost nearly half a billion dollars. Huizenga will announce details of the privately funded plan this afternoon at a press conference but in a statement released through the team said, ``The first step was naming Nick Saban as head of our football operations. 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.'' Huizenga's move sends the stadium in Miami Gardens, on the border of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, both into the past and future. The stadium was original named ''Dolphin Stadium'' when it was completed in 1987 at a cost of $115 million. It was later renamed Joe Robbie Stadium and eventually dubbed Pro Player Stadium when naming rights were sold to Pro Player, the defunct sports apparel company that filed for bankruptcy in 1999. Huizenga retained the rights to re-sell the building's name in 2000, but never reached a deal with a new partner. It is unclear how the Florida Marlins, who share year-round occupancy of the facility with the Dolphins and other events, will react to the renaming and coming work on the facility. Team officers could not be immediately reached for comment. But the Marlins, their fans, as well as the Dolphins and their fans will be affected. ''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,'' Huizenga said. '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.'' According to Huizenga, the renovation will be rolled out in three phases because the stadium's existing commitment to the Marlins prevents a more immediate implementation. Projects currently under consideration for Phase I include a remodeled Club Level and luxury suites, new scoreboards, covered exhibition space that would be event-ready and would serve as an additional parking structure adjacent to the stadium, better traffic egress and ingress, 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, estimated to cost up to $300 million, could not commence until the relocation of the Marlins and that would potentially include expansion of the stadium concourses, a permanent or retractable roof, additional seating capacity, 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. A Phase III is under consideration. To manage these operations, Huizenga is creating a new 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. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/10610264.htm ...and don't tell me to post this in the New Digs forum, that forum is specifically for the new Marlins' stadium only and it says so in the forum description .
January 10, 200521 yr Someone has a bad case of penis envy... Looks like Huizenga can't cope with the fact that the Marlins are on a fast track to becoming Miami's team...
January 10, 200521 yr When I saw the title of this thread I said to myself "He's going to name it Dolphins Stadium". Maybe before Wayne sinks any money into it he ought to pay off the bonds on the stadium and give the people of Miami-Dade the money they are owed. Anyone want to bet, regardless of what the story says, the refurbishment will only go on during the baseball season? He's going to make as difficult on the Marlins as he can, guaranteed.
January 10, 200521 yr Like I said in the other thread....the Marlins will have to deal with the dust.
January 10, 200521 yr Wayne says the Marlins have told him they intend to be out of PPS by the end of 2007 and into the new Ballpark.
January 10, 200521 yr hmm, I think Wayne may be looking to continue his destructive campaign against the Marlins. 1. A Dolphins Roofed stadium would compete for events with a Marlins roofed stadium. This may be another escape goat for government, since there would be increase competition and the revenue stream for other events may not be there. 2. Why all the sudden Wayne is singing the "Private Financing" song? IMO, Wayne isn't looking to do any big renovations. We shall see . . .
January 10, 200521 yr Wayne had a chance to do it all in South Florida....a shame of what could have been.
January 10, 200521 yr hmm, I think Wayne may be looking to continue his destructive campaign against the Marlins. 1. A Dolphins Roofed stadium would compete for events with a Marlins roofed stadium. This may be another escape goat for government, since there would be increase competition and the revenue stream for other events may not be there. 2. Why all the sudden Wayne is singing the "Private Financing" song? IMO, Wayne isn't looking to do any big renovations. We shall see . . . 652412[/snapback] He is doing it, I have been looking for them to announce it for the last 3 years. As for reason #1, the exact opposite is true. The County and City want the new ballpark to keep things inside the City not up in Miami Gardens/Opa Locka.
January 10, 200521 yr Author Wayne says the Marlins have told him they intend to be out of PPS by the end of 2007 and into the new Ballpark. 652411[/snapback] 2007? Wow, that's much better than the 2010's we've been hearing.
January 10, 200521 yr Anyone want to bet, regardless of what the story says, the refurbishment will only go on during the baseball season? He's going to make as difficult on the Marlins as he can, guaranteed. 652401[/snapback] Yep. I think I heard as much on 790 when they were talking about this. "Thome hits a deep drive to center field! Juan Pierre's on his horse after it! He's at the track... he's at the wall.... and he crashes into the scaffolding." One last little "stick it" to the Marlins. Who would want to play in a staduim named after the Dolphins right now anyway? :toilet
January 10, 200521 yr Guys, please think about this for a second. This is going to be even more of a reason to get this done quickly. The Marlins must be at PPS until at least the end of 2006. December 31st, 2005 is the renewal date for the 2007 season. If the ballpark can be done for 2007, it would be great! If not then 2008 is fine. Does it really take more than 2 years to build?
January 10, 200521 yr hmm, I think Wayne may be looking to continue his destructive campaign against the Marlins. 1. A Dolphins Roofed stadium would compete for events with a Marlins roofed stadium. This may be another escape goat for government, since there would be increase competition and the revenue stream for other events may not be there. 2. Why all the sudden Wayne is singing the "Private Financing" song? IMO, Wayne isn't looking to do any big renovations. We shall see . . . 652412[/snapback] He's gonna sell the team. Original cost + renovations
January 11, 200521 yr The title "Pro Player Stadium is no more" on the main page is a little misleading. :mischief
January 11, 200521 yr Huiz is a dumbazz. Keep the name as is until they find another sponsor. Changing the name costs money.
January 11, 200521 yr Huiz is a dumbazz. Keep the name as is until they find another sponsor. Changing the name costs money. 652727[/snapback] Signs had to be changed anyway with the renovations.
January 11, 200521 yr Dolphins Stadium beats PPS and JRS anyday. Now if we could only get the new ballpark to be Marlins Stadium...oh well....then reality kicks in.
January 11, 200521 yr Not only does that sound awful it's sad too. I think this will help our case for a new stadium though.
January 11, 200521 yr Dolphins Stadium beats PPS and JRS anyday. Now if we could only get the new ballpark to be Marlins Stadium...oh well....then reality kicks in. 652790[/snapback] No, JRS sounds a million times better than Dolphin Stadium.
January 11, 200521 yr Dolphins Stadium beats PPS and JRS anyday. Now if we could only get the new ballpark to be Marlins Stadium...oh well....then reality kicks in. 652790[/snapback] No, JRS sounds a million times better than Dolphin Stadium. 652858[/snapback] Pro Player sounds much better. Dolphins Stadium just sounds terrible. And this isn't because I hate the Dolphins. :thumbdown
January 11, 200521 yr Dolphins Stadium beats PPS and JRS anyday. Now if we could only get the new ballpark to be Marlins Stadium...oh well....then reality kicks in. 652790[/snapback] No, JRS sounds a million times better than Dolphin Stadium. 652858[/snapback] Pro Player sounds much better. Dolphins Stadium just sounds terrible. And this isn't because I hate the Dolphins. :thumbdown 652862[/snapback] I've always been fond of JRS. First is always the fondest. JRS is stupid. THE MAN NAMED IT DOLPHINS STADIUM...his family changed it. 652863[/snapback] Alright, let's play baseball at Dolphins Stadium! Wonderful!
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