A staggering 11-figure offer couldn’t entice Stephen Ross to sell the Miami Dolphins.
The 83-year-old, who became the controlling owner of the Dolphins in 2009, turned down a $10 billion offer for the NFL franchise, Hard Rock Stadium and the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix race that will run on Sunday around the stadium in Miami Gardens, according to USA Today.
Ross wants to keep the team, stadium and F1 race in the family, the report said.
Controlling interest in the Dolphins is “not for sale,” an ESPN report added.
A 2022 Sports Business Journal report said Ross changed his succession plan, wanting to leave the team to his daughter, Jennifer, instead of limited partner Bruce Beal, who is the president of Ross’ real estate business, Related Companies.
Last year’s $6 billion sale of the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder to Josh Harris was the largest for a sports franchise in the U.S.
The previous record was set in 2022, when the Walton-Penner family bought the Denver Broncos from Pat Bowlen’s family for $4.65 billion.
In its most recent list of NFL team valuations published in August, Forbes listed the Dallas Cowboys as the most valuable team in the league at $9 billion.
The New England Patriots were second at $7 billion, followed by the Los Angeles Rams ($6.9 billion,) Giants ($6.8 billion) and Chicago Bears ($6.3 billion.)
The Jets were seventh at $6.1 billion, just behind the Las Vegas Raiders ($6.2 billion) and just ahead of the Commanders.
Forbes had the Dolphins 11th at $5.7 billion
Ross has shelled out more than $1 billion to renovate the Dolphins’ stadium and the surrounding area since 2008, per USA Today.
