History

Entering its 22nd year of operation, Land Shark Stadium, originally known as Joe Robbie Stadium, was the first of its kind to be constructed entirely with private funds. The late Joe Robbie led the financing campaign to build "Joe Robbie Stadium"(JRS) for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). JRS revolutionized the economics of professional sports when it opened in 1987.  Inclusion of a Club Level, along with Executive Suites, helped to finance the construction of the stadium. Season ticket holders committed to long-term agreements and in return they received first-class amenities in a state-of-the-art facility which is still used as a model for new facilities across the country.

On March 7, 1990, H. Wayne Huizenga, then Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Blockbuster Video and Huizenga Holdings Inc., agreed to purchase fifty percent of Joe Robbie Stadium and became the point man in the drive to bring Major League Baseball to South Florida. That effort was rewarded in July of 1991, when South Florida was awarded a National League expansion franchise. On January 24, 1994, Mr. Huizenga acquired the remaining fifty percent of the stadium to give him complete ownership. Since 1991, more than $250 million have been spent to upgrade and renovate the stadium. The improvement and revitalization of the building under Mr. Huizenga has allowed the stadium to remain one of the finest sports and entertainment facilities in the United States.

On August 26, 1996, Pro Player, the sports apparel division of Fruit of the Loom, sponsored the renaming of Joe Robbie Stadium as Pro Player Stadium. The sports apparel company became the first sports marketing and products company to entitle a stadium or arena. The stadium was renamed Dolphins Stadium in January 2005 as part of a major renovation initiated by owner Wayne Huizenga.

In April 2006, the stadium unveiled a new stadium logo and modified name. The stadium name was changed to Dolphin Stadium, and a new, modern-looking dolphin in orange, aqua and platinum colors with the words Dolphin Stadium was unveiled as the new stadium logo.  Also unveiled were the two largest hi-definition video boards in professional sports and a new fascia LED ribbon-board, the largest in the world.

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 design and construction, the stadium underwent $250 million in renovations and improvements.  The renewed Dolphin Stadium solidified its place as the premier stadium of the Americas.

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 for Dol-Fans.