The $115 million, state-of-the-art, open-air football facility was the first of its kind to be constructed entirely with private funds.
On August 26, 1996, Pro Player, the sports apparel brand of Fruit of the Loom, sponsored the renaming of Joe Robbie Stadium as Pro Player Stadium. The name was changed from Pro Player Stadium to Dolphin Stadium on January 09, 2005.
Plans for the stadium were first announced on March 5, 1984. The clearing for the stadium site began on July 22, 1985, and groundbreaking ceremonies were held on December 1, 1985.
Financing for Dolphin Stadium was based largely upon the licensing of executive suites and club seats on a 10-year basis. Executive suites range in price from $30,000-$90,000 per year. Club seats cost between $800-$1,800 per year on a 10-year license.
On March 7, 1990, H. Wayne Huizenga agreed to purchase 50 percent of Joe Robbie Stadium, enabling him to begin his pursuit of a Major League baseball franchise. On January 24, 1994, Huizenga acquired the remaining 50 percent of the stadium to give him 100% ownership.
The first football game was played on August 16, 1987, when the Dolphins hosted the Chicago Bears in a preseason contest. The Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers battled on March 11, 1988, marking the first-ever baseball game played at the stadium.
In 2007, Dolphin Stadium completed a historic transformation, unlike any stadium has experienced in the United States. Working with HOK Sport and Stiles Corporation, both renowned in their respective fields of venue design and construction, the stadium underwent $250 million in renovations and improvements.
In February 2008, Mr. Huizenga sold 50% of the Miami Dolphins, stadium and surrounding developable land to Stephen M. Ross of New York and Palm Beach. Mr. Ross, Chairman of the Related Companies, an international real estate development company, became an active partner. In January 2009, Mr. Ross closed on the purchase of an additional 45 percent of the team and stadium. Coupled with his earlier purchase of 50 percent of the franchise, the stadium, and the excess developable land, Mr. Ross now owns 95 percent of the Dolphins and the stadium while Mr. Huizenga has a 5 percent share of both and remains a 50 percent partner in that land.
In a unique branding partnership, on May 8, 2009, Mr. Ross and celebrated singer songwriter Jimmy Buffett announced that Dolphin Stadium would be renamed Land Shark Stadium, bringing together Buffett's Margaritaville and Land Shark themes to enhance the gameday experience at the venue.
Ballpark