It is only a matter of time before the stadium the Miami Dolphins call home is called by yet another name.
Sun Life Stadium will be no more within three years industry sources are saying because Sun Life Financial, the parent company behind the naming rights to the stadium, announced last week it was pulling up stakes in the United States.
The Canadian company is retreating from two staples of its U.S operation, according to various news reports, because it has been stung by the dark economic outlook and unpredictable market volatility that has made it difficult to sustain the traditional life insurance model.
After a strategic review by new CEO Dean Connor, Sun Life says it will no longer sell life insurance and variable-rate annuities in the U.S. The company is expected to turn its sights toward Asia.
And that means that in three years when the naming rights agreement between the Dolphins and the financial giant expires, the name Sun Life will come off the stadium the Dolphins call home.
A Dolphins spokesman was unavailable for comment.
The Dolphins are expected to begin a search for a new naming rights partner in the very near future.
This isn't really a new thing for the stadium where Miami plays. Originally it was called Dolphins Stadium, then it was renamed Joe Robbie Stadium in a 1986 announcement by the Robbie children to honor their father, the Dolphins original owner.
In 1996 Pro Player, a division of Fruit of the Loom, took over sponsorship naming rights. Pro Player Apparel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1999 but before the name came off in 2001, the facility was also renamed Pro Player Park.
Then came Dolphins Stadium. Then came Dolphin Stadium. Then from May 2009 to January 2010 the name was changed to Land Shark Stadium, after the beer. Sun Life Financial came on the scene in 2010 when the company tried its now-failed expansion in the United States.
Sun Life and the Dolphins signed a five-year agreement at the time and that deal is two years old. Three years remain.When that time elapses the stadium known more for its name changes than actual names will change names.
Again.
How about just naming it Jeff Ireland Park or Ross Field.
Posted by: slipperysoap | December 20, 2011 at 07:24 PM
They should rename it Jetriots Stadium as an homage to other AFC East teams winning here more than the Dolphins.
Posted by: Jason | December 20, 2011 at 07:25 PM
How about "Marino-Shula Stadium". The last time this team was respectable.
Posted by: Zack Attack | December 20, 2011 at 07:31 PM
"How about just naming it Jeff Ireland Park or Ross Field."
Posted by: slipperysoap | December 20, 2011 at 07:24 PM
How about just "Ire" Stadium?
Posted by: Lotsathings | December 20, 2011 at 07:44 PM
DraftaQuarterback.com stadium
Posted by: Pat Thomson | December 20, 2011 at 07:47 PM
When I was 9 yrs old in 66 it was the Orange Bowl and the fans made it a place opposing teams dreaded coming to. Move the stands closer to the field and call it the Orange Bowl again. To an old fart like me that's the way it should be.
Posted by: morphin | December 20, 2011 at 07:50 PM
How about just go back to good ol' Joe Robbie Stadium?
Posted by: RMB | December 20, 2011 at 08:04 PM
It should be called "Silent Field at Mismanaged Stadium"
The stadium can't and never does get loud. And the team has not been well managed in a long time. With Steve Ross at the helm, it has only gotten worse. But hey, at least Jeffery Loria does not own the team.
Posted by: Evan | December 20, 2011 at 08:04 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PjS2KYU3Is
Posted by: Tube Salvation | December 20, 2011 at 08:23 PM
how about "home away from home" Stadium
Posted by: Doug | December 20, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Joe Robbie Stadium at St. Jude Plaza?
Posted by: Professor Lou | December 20, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Migrain Park, Hurt-Us Field, Wish-Win Fans Stadium, or Tebow- Gator Stage.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 20, 2011 at 08:28 PM
Steven Ross And The Supremes
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 20, 2011 at 08:30 PM
He Isnt My Headcoach Harbaugh Field
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 20, 2011 at 08:32 PM
No Football Field
Posted by: Professor Lou | December 20, 2011 at 08:33 PM
The Stooges Stadium
Posted by: Professor Lou | December 20, 2011 at 08:35 PM
Three Stooges Stadium
Posted by: Professor Lou | December 20, 2011 at 08:35 PM
How about showing a little love for the man who brought the Dolphins to Miami in the first place?Restore the rightful name to Joe Robbie Stadium,after all he did build the place.As a bonus maybe that will lift the curse.
Posted by: 6bucks7games | December 20, 2011 at 08:39 PM
I really like the comment "move seats closer name it orange bowl again or even Joe Robbie" those are the only two names I ever liked DO IT!! DO IT NOW lol
Posted by: Ductguy | December 20, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Could Miami get a 3rd rd pick for Davone Bess? If they could they should take it.
Bess is having a terrible season and it could be said he is contributing to the team's troubles with his inability to get off the line or get open.
There is a tremendous amount of talent coming out of college in the next draft and the Dolphins could be better served by going after it rather than keeping players around that will not help any quarterback.
Bess's best season was 2010 where he had 820 yds receiving. Maybe he is being misused because he is not a true #2 receiver but he is also no game buster like a Wes Welker.
Could the Dolphins needs be better served if they were to try and unload him at the end of the season?
Posted by: Professor Lou | December 20, 2011 at 08:50 PM
Name the field after Don Shula
Posted by: Hayden Fox | December 20, 2011 at 08:58 PM
They should go back to Joe Robbie Stadium. Unless Joe Robbie ever went bankrupt.
Posted by: Minter94 | December 20, 2011 at 09:16 PM
Third World Field
Posted by: AL | December 20, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Shula Field.
Posted by: Pat Leonard | December 20, 2011 at 09:23 PM
How bout "Wait Til Next Year" Stadium. Course it really is "The Stadium That Shall Not Be Named". That truly is what it already is called
Posted by: Finfan23 | December 20, 2011 at 09:27 PM
Fist pump stadium
Posted by: canesnfins | December 20, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Who cares? If the Dolphins keep winning games, the only QB they will have a shot at is Landry Jones. At that point you could call it "Loser Stadium"!
Posted by: fins4ever | December 20, 2011 at 09:32 PM
Joe Robbie's name should be back on the stadium. Why doesn't some company spend the money on naming rights and call it what it should be called? We'd get the name back to what it should be and it would be a great PR move for that company.
And I wouldn't mind Don Shula Field at Joe Robbie Stadium!
Posted by: canes_5rings | December 20, 2011 at 09:45 PM
Call it "Aloco Stadium", As many names as that stadium has had is only fitting to call iut by a guy that goes by many names.
Posted by: FP4FGs. | December 20, 2011 at 09:51 PM
LMAOROTF @ FP4FGS, Now thats a name.I can see it now coming down south on the Fla TPK in bright lights " ALOCO FIELD", Of coarse it would be in capital letters.
Posted by: Coalition to Ban Odin. | December 20, 2011 at 09:55 PM
They should name it after the opposing team we're playing that week because more of there fans come out.
Posted by: miaballa22785 | December 20, 2011 at 09:56 PM
It should be Acorn Field
Posted by: Get real | December 20, 2011 at 10:07 PM
NAME WILL BE 'CHINA NUMBER ONE' STADIUM. ALL GAME AND PLAYER HONOR CHINA BEFORE START WITH SONG. ALL FAN OBEY OR BE EJECT.
Posted by: Mr. Wing Lo Fu | December 20, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Might as well call it "Cowboys Stadium" So all the new Retreads will feel right at home.
Posted by: FP4FGs. | December 20, 2011 at 10:16 PM
MR WING FO IS THE HYENA CHINA MAN COWHER TRING TO BE VERY SNEEKY,.,,HE WILL COME AND TAKE ALL MR ROSS MONEY AND THEN ONLY WORK ONE YEAR AND QUIT AGAN TO BE IN THE BAHNMAHAS WITH HIS GRLFRIEND ORPAH WINFRY ALL DRUNK ON THERE TEQALA AND RUM NAKED IN THERE HOT TUB,.//BUT FIRST HE WILL RE NAME THE STADIUM FOR CHINA BECAUSE HE IS A SECRET AGENT FOR THEM
Posted by: ALoco | December 20, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Aloco, Did'nt they rename The "Ape City Monkey's" To "Ape City Donkeys"?, Why the name change?
Posted by: FP4FGs. | December 20, 2011 at 10:21 PM
Why don't they just call it "Gator Stadium" and "Nat Moore Field". Everyday will be Gator Day and is sure way to make sure the stadium sells out every week!
Posted by: Pcola fin | December 20, 2011 at 10:29 PM
How about Dolphin Stadium at Don Shula field? Of course that won't happen, it'll probably be named Mcrib Stadium or something of the equivalent
Posted by: Jon | December 20, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Washed up celebrities field at Orange Carpet Stadium
'The Biggest Party in South Florida'
Posted by: What the hell happened to this franchise?!? | December 20, 2011 at 10:39 PM
I am fine with Vandalay Stadium
Like George Costanza in Seinfeld.
Posted by: mserrania | December 20, 2011 at 10:51 PM
I must admit that lately I spend my nights masturbating to my little Aloco. He's so funny that I imagine he must be a creative little busy bee behind closed doors, the kind of creative humor that would have made for one of those sailors that would have been very popular with the others. Oh my sweet little Loco my sailor drawers are damp with the very thought.
Posted by: Capt. Blaine Diggler U.S. Navy | December 20, 2011 at 11:14 PM
I, too, spend manly nights here in my Admiral's Quarters aboard the USS Millard Fillmore bringing myself to ecstatic, quivering climax with the use of my rough-hewn, seaman experienced hand.
Yet it is for my sweet, perfumed Señorita Odinseye that I await with fevered anticipation.
Oh, my little floridita Odinseye! How I picture you in your tomato-stained little peasant dress...looking out from the window of your tiny casita on the hilltop, out past the marina and far into the sea.
How I imagine you spotting the great battleship emerging from the mist and running, tear-stained and mad with passion towards the harbor to leap into my arms again!
My darling Odinseye. This moment approaches.
Posted by: Admiral Bradley Stonemason, USN | December 20, 2011 at 11:26 PM
shula and marino field or go back to joe robbie stadium!
Posted by: bryan in ohio | December 20, 2011 at 11:33 PM
NO-Name Stadium
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 21, 2011 at 12:13 AM
didn't think i saw this coming. it's a shame that they attempted to expand into the U.S. now all of the employees will be laid off and will increase the unemployment rate. Hooray!
Posted by: Dan | December 21, 2011 at 12:36 AM
Lobster-trap Stadium
Posted by: steven | December 21, 2011 at 12:47 AM
It would be named PUSSu stadium because the players need to dress and play like one wearing the color PINK for a month.
The NFL is so feminized that when players get drafted next year the NFL commissioner in addition to holding up the team jersey and handing it to the draftee, the draftee also gets a years supply of feminine napkins as these MEN cant and aren't allowed to PLAY like the MEN of yesteryear.
Posted by: NY "G" | December 21, 2011 at 01:14 AM
Good article Armando....
Really got the discussion going with this one....
I think you could have sat on this story....id on't know...maybe....ANOTHER 2 AND A HALF YEARS.....don't ya think....
But nobody is gonna scoop you......
Posted by: kris | December 21, 2011 at 06:20 AM
It would make sense to just call it the Orange Bowl and announce the sponsor and stop giving up naming rights to the stadium. The Name of the Stadium should never change, but the sponsors can. That's the continuity missing now with the new Dolphins.....
Posted by: JJSTAR | December 21, 2011 at 06:23 AM
After the Jets game some may want to name it
FinsNation Stadium
Posted by: Professor Lou | December 21, 2011 at 06:25 AM
who the hell care aBOUT A NAME ?
ONLY THE (( BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE )) FANS CARES ABOUT THIS TOPIC ...........
Posted by: ALoco | December 21, 2011 at 06:51 AM
Sinking Ship Stadium
Posted by: David 1972, still undefeated | December 21, 2011 at 07:45 AM
Dear Mr. Salguero
Why don't they name it "Tourettes Syndrome Stadium"...cause once the Game starts every Dolphins fan starts to swearing uncontrollably.
Then theres the tics associated with Tourettes Syndrome...like eye blinking, head jerking,shoulder shrugging and sticking there tongue out.
Anouncer : And now here are your Miami Dolphins
Fans : Swearing uncontrollably and showing bodily tics
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 21, 2011 at 08:11 AM
lol kris. Armando's trying not to get scooped 3 years out of a name change. Pretty persistent bugger, isn't he?
It should be renamed for the other 31 teams in the league. They're the ones who do most of the winning there anyhow.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | December 21, 2011 at 08:23 AM
there nothing else to talk about than this? herald is really slacking when it come to phins. Didn't brady have his con call yesterday? Why no story on any of the pressers that were done yesterday. belicheat must have talked as well.
Posted by: BoulderFinFan | December 21, 2011 at 08:30 AM
To quote Sheriff Buford T. Justice: Call it "Barrel of Monkey Nuts " Stadium.
Seriously, I think Ross could earn some points with the local community with something like Don Shula Field at Joe Robbie Stadium. But that would make too much sense.
Posted by: Jeff | December 21, 2011 at 08:40 AM
It will always be" Joe Robbie's Stadium to me.
Posted by: Montie Spano | December 21, 2011 at 08:44 AM
ITS GOTTA BE:
Armando Salguero Stadium!
Posted by: Poizen | December 21, 2011 at 08:49 AM
There is actually a great topic we could be discussing today. With all this talk about Matt Moore's success (which is evident) and the goodwill now being thrown towards this QB, the question arises how/why one of the best slot receivers is being overlooked in game after game this year?
Davone Bess has been suspiciously absent from the offense ever since Moore took over the team. And I'm wondering why? He's known to have the best hands on the team. He's known to be the best route-running WR on the team. If anyone saw his offseason training regimen, they'd know he was in impeccable shape coming in this year.
So what gives? Why this lack of attention? Is it that Moore doesn't see him? Does Moore not know how to use the slot receiver? Seems Moore is much more comfortable throwing to the #1 & 2 receivers (Marshall/Hartline) than Bess. But it's Bess in the slot that will "usually" create the most mismatches. And it's also Bess who's a 3rd-down genius. You'd think he'd be any QBs best friend.
Maybe it's Daboll's new offense, he doesn't know how to incorporate a player with Bess' abilities. I don't know, but I find that a much more interesting topic than the meaningless topic Armando has given us this fine morning.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | December 21, 2011 at 08:49 AM
Mando
Armando Salguero Stadium...
yea yea... Take the first letters and it is
A-S-S stadium...
Ha! Kidding Mando
Posted by: Poizen | December 21, 2011 at 08:50 AM