Dolphins concerned about capacity at Sun Life Stadium

The Dolphins visited The Herald offices Friday as part of a tri-county tour of the newspapers serving the region the team claims as its own.

During the meeting with Herald reporters club president Mike Dee, general manager Jeff Ireland and coach Joe Philbin discussed as openly as they felt comfortable issues of interest. The football aspect of the meeting is covered in this story that discusses, among other things, Miami's plan to use both the 3-4 and 4-3 scheme on defense in 2012, according to Philbin.

On non-football matters, Dee took the questions and discussed a coming Super Bowl bid by South Florida, stadium improvements, and other matters. And in discussing the need for stadium improvements, he mentioned the possibility that capacity at Sun Life Stadium needs to be adjusted.

The reason for that is, well, the Dolphins think the place is too big.

"We have the furthest distance from the sidelines with our lower bowl in the NFL," Dee said. "We have the fewest number of seats in that lower seating level between the 20 yard lines, between the goal lines, in the NFL. Not just the facilities that compete for Super Bowls. We've got to fix that ...

"At the same time, we may look to amend capacity in areas where we may have too much. Right now, we have the largest upper deck in the NFL -- 35,000 seats. The next facility in line is 27,000. The Redskins took 10,000 seats out of their upper deck this past year. We're looking at all those things to retrofit the stadium to today's standards."

That creates something of a problem for the Dolphins. And here it is:

The best way, the right way, to fix the capacity issues Dee mentions is through construction and refurbishing Sun Life Stadium. There's nothing like taking seats out of the upper deck that is too big. There's nothing like adding seats in the lower bowl that is not big enough. That is the optimal approach.

But that costs money. And neither the legislature, nor local politicians are volunteering to pay for that. The public would likely vote down a ballot measure for such expenditure. And owner Stephen Ross is in no hurry to spend the multiple millions of dollars it would cost to do the project.

So the reconstruction idea doesn't seem workable.

What's next?

Well, I don't know how the Dolphins would add seats in the lower level without actually adding seats physically, but they can definitely adjust the numbers of seats in the upper deck without actually touching the place. They can simply ask the NFL to consider certain seats basically invisible. The Dolphins can just lower capacity by giving the NFL a new capacity number and then not selling, say 10,000 seats in the upper deck, for at least one season.

Other teams -- Jacksonville for example -- have done it. Unable to fill an extreme number of seats, the Jaguars just threw a tarp over whole sections of seating. The Hurricanes do it at Sun Life for their home games. The Miami Heat did it for a couple of years before LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwyane Wade on the roster and seating demand skyrocketted.

The Dolphins can simply pick out a section of seats and cover the area. Or they can just black out certain seats or sections from being sold and those would simply be empty on game day.

All of this, by the way, affects you -- the ticket buying customer.

You see, as the Dolphins figure a way to attack this problem, the capacity of the stadium hangs in the balance. If the club is successful in lowering that capacity, either through construction, putting a tarp over sections of seats, or simply blacking out seats electronically, then achieving a sellout becomes easier.

Games are on TV!

You get to watch!

If the Dolphins don't find a way to lower capacity, and the tickets go unsold, the club would have to make a decision whether to rescue local TV-watching fans -- as it did multiple times in 2011 -- by purchasing its own tickets.

I have news for you: The club really doesn't love purchasing its own tickets. No business wants to buy its own product. It is not profitable. And that might lead to a decision not to purchase the unsold tickets. And that means ... no games on TV!

Your Sunday is ruined :(

So the looming decision on how the Dolphins address their stadium capacity issue, particularly in the upper deck, is a big deal to folks who watch the games on TV -- which happens to be a majority of fans. If capacity isn't decreased or ticket sales boom, the club may decide purchasing its own tickets is not a practice it wants to continue.

Blackouts ensue. Not good.

(Oh, one way to solve this without changing capacity? Sign Peyton Manning. Not advocating. Just stating logic.)

Comments

[odinseye]

Aloco, Oscar and Kris show up in succession.

Yeah BABY!

I mean, Hmmmmmmmmmmm.....................

[Kris]

Ok Odin.....whatever....

[oscar canosa]

How's that cat. Somewhat tamer?

[ALoco]

WHOS LITTLE SMALLS?
DID THEY HIRE A QUILITY COACH TO TAKE OVVER FOR THE PIZZA MANS SONs JOB YET
(BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)

[Kris]

I'm thinking of 2 letters Odin....one is F.....can U guess the other one.....

[oscar canosa]

I DO miss my Pus-y.

[odinseye]

WHOS LITTLE SMALLS?

Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 06:29 PM

LOOK DOWN!

He won't be easy to see, but he's down there somewhere ;)

[oscar canosa]

I (had) a Cuban Pus-y once.. ...

[wolfman13]

The Dolphins drew more fans at the Orange Bowl when they had a good team.
Posted by: RON SON | January 27, 2012 at 06:16 PM

_______________________________________________

And the Orange Bowl had less capacity. They had good teams in the current stadium as well. I don't live in South Florida...but I did live in San Diego for a time...problem there, and I assume an issue in South Florida is that there's a lot of other things to do on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Losing doesn't help....but when I attended my one and only game in Miami, Marino was QB and the team was a playoff team...the stadium didn't look even remotely full to me. And that was a winning team.

[ALoco]

OSCAR,TELL US ABOUT TIME WHEN ONLY THING IN AIR WERE FLYING QTERODACTLES/.
(BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)

[oscar canosa]

It is a problem. Back at the OB, we were right on top of both Teams, and we dictated.

[Kris]

Odin....

If you pay attention....u would have read numerous times that I can't stand the Oscar character....or his moronic post.....

Have U figured out the other letter yet.....remember the 1st on is F.....

[Kris]

First letter

[oscar canosa]

You from PR, Kris? Only way I can explain you not liking me.

[NY "G"]

WHOS LITTLE SMALLS?

Posted by: ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 06:29 PM

LOOK DOWN!

He won't be easy to see, but he's down there somewhere ;)

Posted by: odinseye | January 27, 2012 at 06:31 PM

odinseye,

ROFLMAO...

((A BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)) LOL

[oscar canosa]

Now, going off topic, could you People really tell how old I am if I hadn't told you(65). Amazing.

[just passing by.]

I see the usual gang of idiots are on line, Odin And the Odinites I call them(Odin YG,Aloco,Kris,F4L) Quite a pompus bunch I must say.I guess you all must be shut-ins with no life,job,or future.Carry on girls.

[oscar canosa]

Who the hell is Arthur Diaz? Just appeared on my screen, calling me.

[fin4life]

And the Orange Bowl had less capacity. They had good teams in the current stadium as well. I don't live in South Florida...but I did live in San Diego for a time...problem there, and I assume an issue in South Florida is that there's a lot of other things to do on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

wolfman13 | January 27, 2012 at 06:32 PM

The Orange Bowl had a capacity of 81,500 with the endzone seats in at the East part of the Stadium. In JRS the capacity is 75,000 the difference was that in the OB you had a fan atmosphere and JRS was always more a family atmosphere. The difference is palpable if you ever went to the OB it had an electricity and life of it's own that JRS has never truly had.

[ALoco]

OSCAR,YOU WERE 65 FORTY TWO YEAR AGO.

[odinseye]

Kris,

I feel Like Eddie Murphy in Coming to America.

KRIS(downstairs neighbor): Fvck YOU!

Odin(out on the balcony): Yes, yes, Fvck me...........Fvck you too!

[oscar canosa]

Oh, it was for my son(on Skype), who has gotten hold of my Apple I-phone4(not S) now.

[fin4life]

odin,

You just made a funny comment about a comedy which I felt sucked, 20 brownie points my friend!! LMAO!

[NY "G"]

OC,

One of your patients answered the below question...

Did this psychiatrist have an entertaining selection of waiting room magazines?

Somewhat, but they need a bigger selection.

WTF OC... She didn't like the Dolphin Digest?

[fin4life]

OSCAR,YOU WERE 65 FORTY TWO YEAR AGO.

ALoco | January 27, 2012 at 06:42 PM

Oscar is 107??

[oscar canosa]

well, well, Comedy is not for everybody....

[ALoco]

JUST PASING BY ONLY GOT OUT OF 7TH GRADE YOU CAN TELL HE HAS NO EDUCATION UNLIKE MR.ODIN WHO MADE IT TO 10 GRADE BEFORE GETTING EXPELED FOR BRING DRUGS TO SCHOOL.
(BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)

[odinseye]

I see the usual gang of idiots are on line,

Posted by: just passing by. | January 27, 2012 at 06:39 PM

(AHEM), just for the record, you're on line TOO ;)

((Passing By My Azzzz))

[oscar canosa]

Maynard, man!

[oscar canosa]

We really put the chops on them tonight. Man!

[ALoco]

F4L, OSCAR IS GETTING SO OLD SOON WE'LL HAVE TO CUT OFF HIS LEG AND COUNT THE CIRLCES IN IT LIKE TREE PEOPLE DO TO SEE HOW OLD TREE IS.
(BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)

[fin4life]

I see the usual gang of idiots are on line,

Posted by: just passing by. | January 27, 2012 at 06:39 PM

More like the Dirty Dozen and I get a feeling ALoco maybe the Telly Sevales character.

[oscar canosa]

Now, now, you Pr's from Miami Lakes, I admire your music very much.

[fin4life]

oscar,

Does Cialis still work on people over 100 and if so how many times a week??

[just passing by.]

Fin, That was actually pretty funny.

[oscar canosa]

I don't hear that cat meowing.

[just passing by.]

aloco, What do you mean "TREE PEOPLE" Is that some type of racist remark?

[ALoco]

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE MAIN INGREDENT IN BONER PILLS WAS DICOVERED BY ACCIDENT,THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A CURE FOR BALDNESS.ITS TRUE.
(BUFFET OF KNOWLEDGE)

[oscar canosa]

I tellya, that Peyton-Irsay thing is bad news and everybody should stay away from it. Maybe later.

[NY "G"]

New coach Joe Philbin said Friday the team will “absolutely” make significant use of the no-huddle offense, will exploit matchup advantages and will use multiple formations to keep defenses guessing.

NOTE TO COACH PHILBIN...

You are working with a bunch of NFL spoiled brat millionaire losers who are not in shape or conditioned to sustain the no huddle.

Please review the Home Opener against the Pats and how the millionaires were cramping and watch as Wake was thrown around like a rag doll by Rookie guards.

[odinseye]

The Brunette just showed up!

Yeah!!!!!

Be back in Two minutes!

[gregg]

Idiot Armando thinks there's a difference between the team buying one of its own tickets and not selling that ticket in the first place.

[NY "G"]

Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin wants aggressive, creative offense...

• Ireland said if he and Philbin disagree on drafting players A and B, “I have authority to make that decision. But in most cases, we may go with player C.”

Jeff THE SCOUT is already pumping his chest and letting the new HC Philbin know that THE SCOUT Ireland will decide who the HC Philbin will get to work with.

As I as well as most of you all been saying.. We MUST Purge the organization of all of the Parcells projects. Ireland was spared by Ross and now we will be left with more VALUE picks and looking under rocks for those acorns.

[cocoajoe]

Great football talk a couple of hours ago and Mando too? Odin, Phin4, Phin78, NYG and even YG. No, I'm serious wish I had been back earlier.

Maybe it's the California Orange

[cocoajoe]

OR Led Zep, headphones,Becks and C Orange?

[vaustn]

ALL ROSS HAS TO DO IS PUT A GOOD PRODUCT ON THE FIELD AND HE WON'T HAVE THESE ISSUES. TOO BAD IT'S TAKEN HIM 3 YEARS TO GET A CLUE ABOUT THIS!

[fin4life]

Cocoajoe,

Whats up pal been a while!

[cocoajoe]

Hey fin4....just been like you. Wondering about this coach or that coach. Pulling for this guy or that. Want the best like everybody else.

[Pike]

The Brunette just showed up!

Yeah!!!!!

Be back in Two minutes!

Posted by: odinseye | January 27, 2012 at 07:12 PM

She was deflated in your top left drawer the whole time.

I don't know about the rest of you, but when a lovely lady shows up at my pad, I don't stop to return to the blog to inform every one.

[miguel]

Bipolar disorders can be Controlled with proper medication.

[fin4life]

Defalted blow up dolls, yikes!! Brutal!

[NY "G"]

Brandon Marshall has reached out to Matt Flynn... It's not tampering when a player trys to recrut a player.

[cocoajoe]

You gotta love this (PTF)

Brandon Marshall has reached out to Matt Flynn

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 27, 2012, 7:36 PM EST

Getty Images
Brandon Marshall is in recruiting mode. He’s looking for a good quarterback.

Marshall, in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, told NFL.com’s Jeff Darlington that he’s already spoken with Packers quarterback Matt Flynn about coming to Miami.

“You’ve got some guys in the draft, but there’s not too many guys out there just walking the streets,” Marshall said. “Matt is available. . . . . We’ve talked. I reached out to him. I get it from Ray Lewis. Around this time of year, players talk to players.”

[fin4life]

Pike,

I've never actually seen one of those dolls, what do they look like given your obvious 1st hand knowledge, get it 1st hand?

[odinlococornhole]

I like wet juicy furyy littlenecks.

[fin4life]

cocoajoe,

Were did you read that Pal?

[NY "G"]

cocoajoe,

We hit the post button at the same time. lol

Good to see you back.

[fin4life]

I got it guys PFT, thanks for the heads up, NY"G" glad your here as well.

[odinseye]

I'm back, the brown marjker won't come off my hand, guess I will use the red one on my other hand for my red head treat.
Bwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[cocoajoe]

So fin4, did you read Mando's column? Philbin is saying the right things for sure. My guy was Chud but Philbin sounds like he maybe the guy.