Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has called a 4 p.m. "informal meeting" with the media at which he is expected to announce subtle but important changes to the way the Dolphins do business with their fans and media, according to a source close to Ross.
Ross, who has been searching for investors to become minority owners in the team, may unveil some of the names of the people involved on that front.
The source said Thursday afternoon that Ross has been speaking to several people in the entertainment industry. Singer Jimmy Buffett, a Key West resident, and Miami Sound Machine founder Emilio Estefan are among the entertainment people Ross has discussed including in his ownership group.
It is not known if Ross has signed letters of intent or has closed the sale of minority portions of the team with Buffett or Estefan.
Ross is expected to confirm he is getting advice from former U.S. Open chief and former United States Tennis Association CEO Arlen Kantarian. Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue also has advised Ross but not in any official capacity.
Kantarian, who serves on the board of directors at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, is said to be advising Ross on how to reach out to a broader range of fans on game days. Kantarian has been advising Ross to reach out to the "new media" and to turn the game day experience into one that entices more than hardcore Dolphins fans.
Kantarian, who was responsible for similar initiatives while running the U.S. Open, has advised Ross to expand the Dolphins fan reach to non-football fans and people visiting South Florida as well as living in the community. During Kantarian's tenure, the U.S. Open became the largest annually attended sporting event in the United States.
CBS News and Sports president Sean McManus told the New York Times that Kantarian has a "real promotional flair and flamboyance in presenting an event. The U.S. Open was always a big sporting event in New York, but now it's an 'in' entertainment and sports event."
Ross is said to want to take a similar step with Dolphins football games. He is expected to speak about that at the media gathering.
Ross will not touch the football operations side of the Dolphins. He understands football czar Bill Parcells does not need nor want the way the football side does business to be changed in any way.
But the new owner, who made his fortune as a commercial real estate developer, is expected to make the Dolphins game day experience and business side seem "glitzier," according to a source at HK Management, which represents Buffett.
The Dolphins are expected to become more celebrity friendly and more celebrities are expected to be invited to every home game. In that regard, Ross has enlisted the help of Bernie Yuman, who founded Say Entertainment Inc. (aka Bernie Yuman Management) in Henderson, Nev.
Yuman is best known for serving as the agent for the animal act Siegfried and Roy. He is also the manager for former boxer Muhammad Ali. Yuman (seen with Ross at a Dolphins home game last season) directed calls to his office back to the Dolphins public relations department, a clear indication he is connected to the team.
The Dolphins will soon unveil their marketing strategy for 2009, meant to push ticket sales and create buzz about the team. That could also happen as early as today.
Ross said in his last media availability that he is not raising ticket prices this coming season.
NJ PHIN FAN, I DIDNET WRITE THE REAL LUGGI LAST ONE,THIS GUY GOING PANANA
Posted by: Gopats | April 17, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Real Luggi,
What does Luggi mean? I thought it was that stuff you spit out of your mouth. Like I spit out a big luggi. Stupid name.
Posted by: Ace | April 17, 2009 at 12:06 AM
TELL US MORE PLEASE
Posted by: BACALA | April 17, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Nj Phin Fan, what celebrities would you like to see at Dolphins games? Bruce Springstien?
Posted by: gopats | April 17, 2009 at 12:10 AM
sally struthers?
Posted by: gopats | April 17, 2009 at 12:10 AM
TELL us more fake GOPATS
Posted by: BACALA | April 17, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Tell us how Cameron Wake will make shredded beef?
Posted by: Bacala | April 17, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Jaksin, What celebrities would you like to see at Dolphins games? Richard Simmons?
Posted by: Gopats | April 17, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Tell us if the dolphins helmets will have vents this year
Posted by: Gort | April 17, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Who is Jaksin? I would like to see Flavor Flav at a Dolphins game
Posted by: RickyCt | April 17, 2009 at 12:16 AM
WOW,WOW, ANY WAY I GOT TO GO CAUSE THIS GUY USING ALL MY NAMES SO I HAVE TO THINK OF NEW ONES BUT HE FORGOT JOSE, LET SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN
Posted by: JOSE | April 17, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Jose, do you think JT should come back to the Dolphins as a player or celebrity?
Posted by: monkey | April 17, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah BOOOOOOOOOOOOY.
Posted by: Mr Bunglito | April 17, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Go pats... Why did you ask me about which celebrities I would like to see at Dolphins games?
Posted by: jaksin | April 17, 2009 at 12:21 AM
nj phin fan hates bruce springsteen.
Posted by: Mr Bunglito | April 17, 2009 at 12:22 AM
911 is a joke in your town
Posted by: The Cuban Assassin | April 17, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Yeeeeeeeeesssss. monkey is back !
Posted by: curious george | April 17, 2009 at 12:24 AM
I thought all people from Nj like the Boss
Posted by: cardoza | April 17, 2009 at 12:27 AM
maybe Nj Phin Fan would rather see Tony Danza at the Dolphins game
Posted by: cardoza | April 17, 2009 at 12:29 AM
I want 1 guy at the dophin game and he's my fellow new jersey boy Bill Parcells.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | April 17, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Dolphin.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | April 17, 2009 at 12:41 AM
I can't believe i actually agree with cuban menace on this one... Lower ticket prices forever
Posted by: beerphin | April 17, 2009 at 01:51 AM
gopats:
name your puppy shithead, like what my mom calls my daddy
Posted by: Brady's bastard child | April 17, 2009 at 02:02 AM
ANOTHER CLUELESS OWNER.TELL HIM TO SIGN J.T.
THIS GUY DOES NOT KNOW WHAT A FOOTBALL FAN IS
OR WANT
RAY MIAMI
Posted by: RAMON | April 17, 2009 at 10:02 AM
"What's next ? Blue man group and cirque du soliel performing at halftime of all home games."
That's brilliant, Just plan brilliant! You are a gifted thinker and I love your imagination. Give me a call, I have a job for you with the Dolphins that will be a perfect fit
Posted by: Stephen Ross | April 17, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Thanks Stephen.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | April 17, 2009 at 12:35 PM
The only thing that needs changing is the uniforms! We need to go to the dark blue color almost like the seahawks. Home uni should be dark blue jersey on dark blue pants. Maybe keep the white helmet but a dark blue helmet would be sweet too. Time for the phins to start looking tougher. They're playing the part now but the unis are soft.
Posted by: smo | April 17, 2009 at 05:49 PM
1. someone posted on one of the first pages, that the team just needs to keep winning for the fans to come. dude, if you're a fan... come for the football (at least one of the teams will be playing well)... a fan must have faith. winnings nice, but it ain't everything.
2. do you really, really care about a uniform? perhaps they should be purple with yellow polka dots to distract the other team while we're at it.
3. giveaways are nice little things to add to the game-day experience. big name entertainment during half-time. bring back the transit buses.
4. i really don't care if obama is sitting next to me in the stands. i just want non-drunk, non-rude, non-cursing-every-other-word FANS in those seats. it's better that i don't know them. meet new people, share your love for football.
Posted by: who cares about unis | April 19, 2009 at 10:56 AM