The Miami Dolphins go South Beach
New Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross has added dashes of Key West, Cuba and Puerto Rico to his team. On Friday, he went South Beach.
With Casa Casuarina, the former Versace Mansion, on Ocean Drive as his backdrop, Ross introduced neo-pop artist Romero Britto as the newest addition to help enhance the fan experience at Land Shark Stadium. Britto, known for his bright-colored, playful paintings and sculpture, will add his signature style to the helixes and gates at the stadium. (See photo courtesy of the Dolphins).
“It’s fitting that we’re here in Miami Beach, first of all because I’m from Miami Beach, and since the Miami Dolphins really represent the South Florida, South Beach lifestyle,” said Ross, who was dressed more for a team meeting -- in khakis, pink shirt and dark jacket -- than for a night on South Beach. “Today we bring the Miami Dolphins to South Beach and I know we’re going to bring back a lot of South Beach to Land Shark Stadium this year.”
Britto, dressed in a black suit and bright red shirt, said the project will be done in three phases and take three years to complete. But Ross promised some of the work will be in place for the Dolphins home opener on Monday, Sept. 21 against the Indianapolis Colts. Britto thanked Ross for choosing his art to help grace the stadium.
“As you can see here, the Dolphins are going to have my art around the stadium, and this is like a dream come true for an artist to be able to share his art with so many people,” Britto said.
Ross promised his priority is creating a winning football team, but with that, he also reminded that he wants to create “a greater fan experience” at the stadium.
He was also cognizant that people have gotten accustomed to his flashy press conferences to introduce new celebrity limited partners in the team, since he’s introduced Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Marc Anthony in recent weeks. Although not yet a limited partner, Jimmy Buffett has also partnered with Ross: the stadium has been re-named this season for Buffett’s Land Shark Lager and Buffett has re-written his hit Fins in honor of the team.
“The two announcements tonight, deal with really creating a fan experience as opposed to announcing another celebrity limited partner,” Ross said. “I can tell you we have some additional celebrity limited partners and we’ll have an announcement like that in the next two weeks, but tonight I’m really delighted to announce that the world renowned and South Florida artist Romero Britto will be bringing Land Shark Stadium alive through his iconic art.”
Additionally, Dolphins CEO Mike Dee announced the creation of the exclusive VIP Ocean Drive Club at the stadium in partnership with Ocean Drive magazine. The invitation-only club is designed for up to 250 members, who will enter it on an orange carpet and will have direct access to the field. The sleek club will have lounge space, carving station, flat-screen TVs and other benefits. It will be housed in the Gate G sub-concourse in 4,500 square feet where the Marlins batting cages are, but will eventually expand to 20,000- to 25,000-square feet, Dee said.
“We’ll see you all around the orange carpet,” Dee said to close the press conference.
After a break, the Dolphins cheerleaders held a swimsuit fashion show – complete with runway and some cheerleaders sporting Britto body paint -- to unveil their 2010 calendar. They were backed by hip hop artist T-Pain, who served as DJ for the event, adding his own commentary such as “I’ll be a fool for you,” as Miss April appeared and “Mother my I?” for Miss May.
And then, T-Pain debuted his updated version of the Miami Dolphins Fight Song. Don’t worry traditionalists – he hasn’t changed the words. Both the new and original versions will be played at games this season.


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Comments
Look at the cute Dolphins... You all are the homos of the league. Even the 49ers dont have gay @ss art in there stadium. Us Patriot fans will show you what a real stadium looks like in Foxboro when we kick the pink and aqua back to ferry land.
Posted by: BradyPower | August 11, 2009 12:33 AM
Welcome to the carnival...hehe!!
How come Arison, who actually owns Carnival, doesn't do this to the HEAT? Because he keeps it simple and knows what the fans want...a good product on the court, when cap space allows of course.
Posted by: Marky | August 10, 2009 2:30 PM
Art= Art Gallery
Dolphins fans = Stadium
Owner = business of running a "football" team
Rappers = eventually dead or jail
Entertainment = Night Clubs in Miami
Dolphin Players = Field
Miami Dolphins 2009 = winning
Posted by: 84FinFan | August 9, 2009 10:38 PM
305PhinPhan-
Are you on drugs? Talking tough through computers? Talking trash about other Dolphin Fans? Maybe after the Philly fans get done we will finish you off.
Posted by: Kickingbutt72 | August 9, 2009 10:28 PM
Dude J-Lo can be my 'Tight End Receiver' any day!!
Posted by: DUDE | August 8, 2009 8:44 PM
Posted by: gddolphins1 | August 8, 2009 3:06 PM
___________________________
I'm with you Chris L.
Huizenga oh Huizenga why have you forsaken us?
Yes Hal9000 Ross has to be gay.I'm in for a g-note if everyone wants to hire a hit man for Ross. He is ruining our team faster than obama is ruining our country. I'm mad as hell and more true football fans need to be heard.
___________________________
GDDOLPHINS1 is a complete ignorant f^@k. Rappers are the thugs yet you want to put in a "G-NOTE" to hire a hitman for Ross? LOL you are such a douche bag!!! Just stop posting PLEASE!!!! You're comments are pathetic and pointless!!!
Posted by: 305PhinPhan | August 8, 2009 8:40 PM
Posted by: gddolphins1 | August 8, 2009 3:06 PM
___________________________
I'm with you Chris L.
Huizenga oh Huizenga why have you forsaken us?
Yes Hal9000 Ross has to be gay.I'm in for a g-note if everyone wants to hire a hit man for Ross. He is ruining our team faster than obama is ruining our country. I'm mad as hell and more true football fans need to be heard.
___________________________
GDDOLPHINS1 is a complete ignorant f^@k. Rappers are the thugs yet you want to put in a "G-NOTE" to hire a hitman for Ross? LOL you are such a douche bag!!! Just stop posting PLEASE!!!! You're comments are pathetic and pointless!!!
Posted by: 305PhinPhan | August 8, 2009 8:39 PM
What the hell does a nice looking stadium have to do with the team that we put on the field? You guys talk so tough through your computer but where were you guys a few years back when philly came to town and punked everybody. I was the only one in my section to stand up for the Phins, beat up big mouth philly fan then got jumped by his two friends and nobody had the balls to at least help or break it up. Real tough guys.
Posted by: gary | August 8, 2009 3:34 PM
Hey ysbeck. Your entire statement is stupid. Talk about being a dumbass! 99.999% of rappers are thugs. We have nothing againt art. It just belongs in an art gallery not in a football stadium.
Give me orange & aqua!!!
Posted by: gddolphins1 | August 8, 2009 3:19 PM
I'm with you Chris L.
Huizenga oh Huizenga why have you forsaken us?
Yes Hal9000 Ross has to be gay.I'm in for a g-note if everyone wants to hire a hit man for Ross. He is ruining our team faster than obama is ruining our country. I'm mad as hell and more true football fans need to be heard.
Posted by: gddolphins1 | August 8, 2009 3:06 PM
Why are all of u guys sterio typing that rappers have to do with nothing but thugs get ur facts straight. Everyone was criticizing about the dolphins in that horrible 1-15 record 2 years ago and now that we are are winning we are going to talk about tradition? what tradition? Were once the dolphins start losing we ignore them but once they start winning we are the dolphins faithful GIVE ME A BREAK!!! What Ross is doing is great trying to add some entertainment while we watch the team thats been wit us for a long time and Ross is trying to add something new to the stadium. And the art idea is great gives the stadium some latin culture it has nothing to do wit anything gay its just that a**holes like u who think its gay to draw are the biggest Dumba**. Keep it up Ross ur doing Great!! go dolphins
Posted by: Ysbeck | August 8, 2009 2:51 PM
Hey Joel from Pittsburgh. You call yourself a Dolphin fan yet don't understand the meaning of tradition? tradition doesn't mean "hey we've been in the league the longest". Do you think having the winningest NFL team in history could merit a little tradition? Going to five super bowls, and undefeated season, tons of players in the hall of fame, winningest all time coach...should I go on? Some of what you said was intelligent and valid, but that comment was ignorant enough strike all the positives from the record. The reason we don't sell out is A: we're considered a small market by numbers, plus those small numbers are spread over a very wide area, unlike Pittsburgh with twice the population packed in much tighter and closer to the stadium and B: alot of die hard fans have moved north to Georgia, or central florida so they don't have they don't have to drive by the stadium and have a seizure looking at the bullshit art they are about to paint it with. if I'm not mistaken, you said you were a Dolphin fan but live in Pittsburgh, can we blame you for not showing up to the games too?
Posted by: Chirs L | August 8, 2009 2:50 PM
Anyone know if Ross is gay? And you guys thought that Huizenga was terrible owner.
Posted by: HAL9000 | August 8, 2009 2:06 PM
And one more thing. F*%k key west, cuba and purto rico...let them get there own team and leave mine alone!
Posted by: gddolphins1 | August 8, 2009 1:32 PM
I am a born in Florida fan all my life. Mr. Ross...YOU are a joke. Just look at the picture,when did we change our colors to YELLOW?? Fans dont want to see art. We only want to see aqua and orange!!! We dont care that you have to raise money by selling pieces of our team. But please stop calling them owners. Any connection to rap(aka thugs) is an insult.Please stop the circus bullshit before you run off every fan we have. Do you want a stadium full of fans or thugs? Lord I wish we had Wayne H back. Shula has got to be sick. So am I !!!
Posted by: gddolphins1 | August 8, 2009 1:19 PM
I have been a season ticket holder for 15 yrs. I go for the game not the entertainment. certainly not latin or hip hop music. & dont change the fight song. this might be my last season if this owner doesnt stop these gimmics
Posted by: eve | August 8, 2009 1:09 PM
Yea real refreshing pal.. All the fans will be in the resturants, club levels, VIP lounges, checking out art, and no one watching the game.. Real Miami Dolphin Fans!
Posted by: Phatback | August 8, 2009 12:52 PM
And seriously how can you make a comparrison to the Dolphins going to the Wild Cat to Britter putting up stupid looking paintings around the stadium?? I think you are one that is lost... The Wild Cat is all about running the football, so I do not understand how the Dolphins are bucking the power running game.. Sure it maybe a different formation but it is still running the football.
I wouldn't be to loud on the plane with all the Steeler fans bragging about Britt and his colorful paintings at Landshark Stadium... On the other hand, brag away.... Idiot
Posted by: Tom Dulany | August 8, 2009 12:44 PM
I dissagree. There is a lot to be said about tradition and the 12th man. Something Miami has been missing since they moved into this stadium from the Orange Bowl. Sure there is a lot of cultural influence in Miami, especially in the last 10 years. But make no mistake, this is a football stadium. What's funny is that is you go to a soccer game in Cuba, Europe, Spain, the stadiums are packed to capacity and the fans are roudy!! There is nothing fancy about the stadiums, no celebs, no TPAIN fight song. People want to see the team win. Look at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Gillete Stadium, Heinz Stadium, real football stadiums!!! There is nothing refreshing about this change in Miami!!! ESPN is already making fun of the Dolphins.
Posted by: Joel | August 8, 2009 12:33 PM
HONESTLY, I THINK SOME OF YOU DON'T HAVE A CLUE!!
first the idea of tradition. this team is 40 years old, not exactly the bears or packers. it's been 36 years since we've won a superbowl, and at least 5 teams have won more. i think it's time for some changes. you like tradition then you must hate what parcells, sporano and henning have done!! this wildcat bucks our tradition of power running like teams of the past, oh wait we ditched that in the 80's, the wild cat bucks our 5 receiver spread offense, wait we ditched that when marino retired. but still ths wildcat is just bucking tradition in general!! we must stick to traditional offensive schemes!! fire them all!! IDIOTS! bloggers on here, not the coaches trying to be innovative. or the owner who's team just had, from what i hear so far, a pretty darn good draft! i don't live in miami but love south beach, wish i could visit more often. the food, the architecture, the sounds and the colors are an overload to the senses.
britto is an amazing artist and having him paint the stadium is a great thing. the stadium well be alive with color. it will be alive with sound, and maybe ross will add some great eateries too. every game can be like a superbowl. great music acts, great halftime shows and of course great football. the football team is in great hands and so is the stadium. i've heard more things will be built near the stadium as well. hotels and shopping. nothing ross has done has affected what goes on in games, training, coaching, or players off field time. having the dolphins being headline makers and being covered by not just the sports news but the news in general is great. almost every week tickets had to be bought by tv stations to lift the blackout so i'd think you people living in miami who don't go to the games would love to see sellouts every game long before the deadline!! i'm a fins fan in pittsburgh and will be flying down for that game. unfortunately i'll be with about 200 steelers fans. they well most likely be at least 15,000 steelers fans filling your stadium. it will be the same story when you pay the jets. so be very happy ross is doing everything possible to fill the stadium with actual dolphins fans!!
what i'd LOVE ross to also do is get the marlins a new stadium and make landshark a football only stadium.
Posted by: Jaison Biagini | August 8, 2009 12:31 PM
I am a true native Floridian born and raised ….not a newbie.. I have been a fan for years - through the good and not so good times.. we live in a diverse culture, party city…
I think these changes bring about new refreshing fan experience. True to our city... a blend of tradition, mixed with multi cultures can unite us in the stands as well as on the field.
I think the upbeat song is a great… and look forward to a new refreshed look, sound and winning team this year.
Go fins …
Posted by: lori | August 8, 2009 12:19 PM
This new owner Steven Ross is a joke. How can you make what was once a proud franchise into a national joke? Bringing in all these second rate entertainers as part owners is a gimmick that will not work. Thank god I gave up my season tickets so I will not have to be surrounded by this crap and the drunks and the heat and the overpriced food and merchandise. Wins and losses are all that really count and this season with the harsh schedule will be a dose of reality. Maybe Mark Anthony can play wide receiver and J Lo with her ample derriere can fill in on the offensive line
Posted by: hsf | August 8, 2009 12:09 PM
The only entertainment people want to see is a great football team. If this is what the new owner is going to bring to Florida then I will not be purchasing any tickets this year. I want to see the team I grew up with not a fricking latin Conga line dancing to a "rap-crap" version of the Dolphin fight song.
Shame on you Mr. Ross. If your intention was to "turn off" the majority of real die-hard fans, you are doing a great job...
Hasta Luego
Posted by: Steve | August 8, 2009 12:04 PM
Maybe Joey Porter and Jason Taylor can hang some art next to there lockers. Or take a painting class. When we come to Miami to woop up on you maybe we can help paint the stadium pretty rainbow colors!!! HA HA HA how gay!!!
Posted by: JETMASTER | August 8, 2009 11:59 AM
Is this a joke??? Even Bob Craft owner of the Patriots with a pink tie is not stooping this low. I am embarrassed to be a Dolphins fan.
Posted by: Kim | August 8, 2009 11:49 AM
No one is in favor of this so why is Steven Ross ruining the face of the Dolphins?? A tradition in the NFL is turning into a circus act. Who goes to a FOOTBALL game to look at art?? A rapper to revamp the fight song?? I think I am going to be sick..
Take a look at the Steelers, I hate to say this but that is a FOOTBALL franchise, not this circus in Miami.
Posted by: Joel | August 8, 2009 11:43 AM
How sad- They'll be the laughing stock of the league.
Posted by: Phinias | August 8, 2009 11:42 AM
holy crap stephen ross. we want a good football team not some stupid artist and and tpain shitting on our classic song.
Posted by: moeski | August 8, 2009 11:26 AM
Holy crap!!!! That stadium looks like something I threw up after a night of hammering tequila! Mr. Ross, please stop pandering to a "segment" of the community hoping that the rest will follow like lemmings. Just put an honest, physical, smashmouth team on the field and EVERYONE will come. If not, then pick up the stadium and team and move it to Cuba where fan attendance and participation will be mandatory.
Posted by: Martin | August 8, 2009 10:55 AM
What thugs are you talking about? The drunk idiot fans that make the game uncomfortable to watch or T-Pain the hip hop artist who was asked to revamp the fight song? Also, initially I wasn't sure how I felt about these changes, but the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea of an owner doing whatever possible to create a better fan experience. I am a huge dolphins fan and think what Ross is doing is great and won't affect what happens on the field. It's creating a buzz around town. Let Parcells handle the football side of things and Ross the business side. I think the dolphins will be the talk of the NFL. Just need to keep winning. GO PHINS!
Posted by: gary | August 8, 2009 10:39 AM
This is pathetic and embarrassing. If Ross wanted a nightclub he should have bought one. Does he really think that this gimmick will sell more tickets. I am a season ticket holder that goes to the games for Dolphin football and tailgating. I could give 2 Sh*ts about South Beach art. And I am willing to bet that the majority of Phin fans feel the same way. He is apparently out of touch with who it is that supports the Dolphins and pay to see them.
Posted by: Derek | August 8, 2009 10:39 AM
Ummmm. I would go to see stripper-like cheerleaders.
Posted by: zoroaster | August 8, 2009 10:34 AM
South Florida sports teams think they need that overhyped "South Beach sizzle" to get butts in seats instead of spending time and money on the players. True sports fans don't need karaoke pregame shows and stripper-like cheerleaders.
Posted by: Gail | August 8, 2009 10:27 AM
The pic looks like something out of childs nightmare. More suitable for a sideshow at a carnival NOT a football stadium.
Posted by: cocoajoe | August 8, 2009 10:20 AM
Let Ross stay busy doing the things he's doing. That way he'll keep his fingers out of the team and let Parcells run it. We don't need a Jerry Jones type in Miami.
Posted by: tom@jax | August 8, 2009 10:14 AM
Can't we just play football? Am I the only one that's getting a tired of the circus Steven Ross is creating around our team that already has great tradition. We don't need these gimmicks. Go to a Steelers game, you don't see any of this crap! You get iron city beer and smashmouth football, that's it, and it's worth every penny to their fans. Give me a corona and some Dolphin football and keep your damn circus.
Posted by: Chris L | August 8, 2009 10:00 AM
What a waste! You own a football team, not place for thugs to hang out
Posted by: Ricster | August 8, 2009 9:54 AM