Miami Dolphins chief trashes "ginned up" poll showing stadium plan is highly unpopular, toxic

@MarcACaputo

A written statement from Miami Dolphins President and CEO Mike Dee on today's poll showing about 73 percent of likely Miami-Dade voters don't like the club's tax-subsidy plan:

“A ginned-up poll paid for by a mystery client that goes out of its way to lead people to a negative position is hardly enough to sway us from our efforts to put this issue in front of voters this spring. We believe in the people of Miami Dade County, and trust that the voters can and will see the differences in our project from prior ones.

“The fact that the Dolphins will pay a majority of the costs, and that the rest will be paid by tourists and patrons of the stadium - and never by residents of Miami Dade - along with creating thousands of jobs and millions in economic activity for the people of our community, are powerful facts than this cynical, politically-motivated poll conveniently ignores.

“We know that we have to make our case to the elected leaders and the people of Miami Dade. It’s a challenge we readily accept and are confident it will end with the voters approving our plans to create more jobs and more opportunity for the people of Miami Dade County."

One note: There's no evidence that this was a so-called "push poll" that, in Dee's words, "goes out of its way to lead people to a negative position." Indeed, it described one of the sales-tax breaks the Dolphins seek as a "rebate" when the state program can act like a subsidy.

Here's the question pollster Dario Moreno said he asked:

The Dolphins are asking for a one-cent increase in the "bed tax" in Miami-Dade County, as well as a $3-million-a-year rebate in sales tax revenue generated by goods and services at Sun Life Stadium. Stephen Ross, the owner of the Dolphins, has pledged to pay for at least half of the $400 million renovations himself, meaning the team is asking for approximately $199 million in public funding. Do you support or oppose this plan?

And there's an irony as well: The Dolphins shared a portion of their own poll, but it was more of a push poll that Moreno's. That is, it message-tested, which all campaigns have to do, by asking a series of questions of voters to figure out how popular an item is or how to make it popular. The survey, conducted by a group called OnMessage Sports, that they said showed 59 percent approved of the plan and only 33 percent disapproved after they were "informed." The poll's crosstabs were not shared with The Miami Herald, unlike Moreno's survey.

Comments

[Garl]

Marc, you surely understand that using the term "public funding" makes it a push poll. At this point, most voters believe, erroneously, that THEY -- the PUBLIC -- WILL be doing the funding.

[Rick Sisser]

It's the same pollster that predicted the Marlins deal would oust Alvarez...And billionaire Bramen hasn't put his $500,00 anti-campaign money...

[Bizz]

c'mon guys, this would be a great thing for both Broward and Dade counties! it will be paid by tourists. plus Ross is paying over $200 million of the cost by himself! this could bring Superbowl 50 plus more in the future.. which brings millions to South Florida, plus a lot of jobs to get it done. this isn't the sweetheart deal that was given to the crook Marlins.. we aren't giving away hundreds of millions of dollars to the owner and get absolutely nothing back. this will greatly benefit South Florida.

[Isaac]

#Miami needs Wallace

[Jeremy in the Canadian Cowtown]

I'll happily pay the extra 1% when I come to my annual game. The new stadium plan is awesome

[Garrett]

My biggest problem is the roof....while I'm not against Miami having a roof over its head, The stadium looks like someone "placed a Napkin" over the top....It's not a good looking stadium with that roof, yet alone if Miami wants to continue to host Superbowls, National championships, and other major events...they need to present the stadium as a work of art...not a work of Fart

[MEANAZFUK]

I BELIEVE THE TEAM MUST SHOW A STRONG EFFORT TO ACQUIRE BIG TIME PLAYERS BOTH IN THE DRAFT AND IN THE FA MARKET TO HYPE THE FANS. . . . . .

SECTION 454 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HUBERT]

BUILD A NEW ORANGE BOWL. THAT's THE LAST PLACE THE DOLPHINS WERE SUCCESSFUL. NO 12TH MAN AT THIS STADIUM.

[Mike P]

I'm a season ticket holder for both the Fins and the Canes. I love Joe Robbie Stadium. (See how I called it Joe Robbie Stadium? ) it's location is great, it's been well kept and it's quite comfy. And...the damn baseball infield is gone forever. I really don't care about bringing a Superbowl to Miami-Dade County. Summer Olympic Games maybe but not for a Superbowl. So I really care less about improvements to the stadium. I do believe a penny bed tax could be more wisely spent in our community. But that's another story in need of telling.

[M. Van]

I received one of these calls. The caller, a male, asked my opinion. I stated I was opposed to the idea. He asked why? I stated four reasons. He then went after each of the four reasons to counter and persuade me. I came back with more evidence on my side and the guy just hung up. Really?

I have an idea...raise the bed tax, but give the money to Miami-Dade County Public Schools to reduce class size even further and provide more Special Education training and English Language Learner teachers to reduce our drop out rate.