Hard Rock International, owned by Florida’s Seminole tribe, recently bought the naming rights to the rebuilt Miami Dolphins stadium in a multi-year deal. Hard Rock Stadium will be the eighth name for the 29-year old venue, following Dolphin Stadium, Joe Robbie Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, Pro Player Park, Pro Player Stadium, Landshark Stadium and most recently Sun Life Stadium.
The stadium is undergoing a $500 million renovation financed by current Dolphins owner Steve Ross. The changes, including a canopy covering the stands and part of the field, will debut when the Dolphins host the Tennessee Titans in the preseason finale on Thursday, September 1. The Dolphins first regular-season home game will be Sunday, September 25 against the Cleveland Browns.
“I’ve built over $20 billion worth of property and this is the most complex,” Ross said, referring to the time constraints involved. The project, which started last December, has provided about 400 construction jobs.
The terms and length of the deal were not announced, but naming rights typically net more than $10 million annually for NFL franchises. AT&T will pay $400 million over 20 years for the Dallas Cowboy’s Palace, and MetLife will pay the New York Giants and Jets $400 million over 25 years. Also, Levi’s will pay the San Francisco 49ers $220 million over 11 years and U.S. Bank is paying the Minnesota Vikings $220 million for 20 years.
Besides the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium will be the home of the Miami Hurricanes, the Orange Bowl Classic and Super Bowl 54 in 2020. Ross said he and the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee will continue to bid for Super Bowls, and also hope to bring an NCAA national championship football game to Hard Rock Stadium.
