Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross revealed on Wednesday that he has received offers for the football team of nearly $15 billion. Ross bought the Dolphins in 2009 for $1 billion and has no plans to sell the team.
Speaking at a Bloomberg event in Florida, Ross said he sees an NFL team as a top asset. “I don’t think there is a better asset than a football team,” he said, emphasizing he intends to keep the Dolphins in the family, passing ownership to his son-in-law, Daniel Sillman, a 37-year-old sports executive.
Ross, a real estate and sports magnate, previously sold a 13% stake in the Dolphins, the Miami Grand Prix, and the Miami Open in 2024 at an $8.1 billion valuation. Despite the large offer, he believes the team’s value will continue rising, thanks to growing media rights and streaming deals like Netflix’s recent broadcast of two Christmas Day games.
Forbes previously estimated the Dolphins’ value at $7.5 billion, making them the 11th-most valuable NFL team, roughly half of the highest offer Ross received. The average NFL team is valued at $7.1 billion, and Ross’ personal fortune is estimated at $17 billion.
The most valuable team in sports is the Dallas Cowboys, estimated at $13 billion. Despite the Dolphins’ rising market value, Ross remains committed to keeping the team under his ownership.
Ross, now 85 years old, bought 50% of the Dolphins from Wayne Huizenga in 2008 and finalized full ownership in 2009. He sold the 13% stake in 2024 to Ares Management and Brooklyn Nets owners Joe Tsai and Oliver Weisberg.
The Dolphins, famous for the only perfect NFL season in 1972, won two Super Bowls in the 1970s and appeared in two more during the 1980s under Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino. However, the team has had back-to-back losing seasons and is currently searching for a new head coach after firing Mike McDaniel.
Ross’ statement shows that even with a record-breaking offer, the Dolphins will stay in his control and continue shaping the team’s future.
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