It's Official: Dolphins Home Introduced As Hard Rock Stadium
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Over the past two years the Miami Dolphins home stadium has been undergoing a massive renovation.
The $500 million project has been funded by team owner Stephen Ross who wanted to give his team a world class building to play in while also draw big events, like the Super Bowl, back to South Florida.
While the stadium itself looks amazing, there is one major thing that it has been lacking; a name.
Earlier this year the naming rights owned by Sun Life Financial expired and since then the building has gone by the generic name of 'New Miami Stadium' while the search for a new sponsor was underway.
That search has finally ended as on Wednesday it was announced that the building would be named Hard Rock Stadium.
"Hard Rock Stadium will be a global entertainment destination and we are excited to enter this long-term partnership with Hard Rock International, an iconic worldwide brand that continues to grow," Miami Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel said. "They are synonymous with music and entertainment and have a rich history of philanthropy and community engagement."
The Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida owns Hard Rock International and has one of the most popular casino's in the state, the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, which is located just 10 miles north of the stadium.
"Hard Rock International, along with our owners, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is extremely proud to see our name go up on this stadium. This deal is not only a naming rights program, but it is designed to be a true partnership between two companies dedicated to providing world class entertainment on a global level," Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen said.
In addition to all Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes home games and the NCAA's annual Orange Bowl playoff game, Hard Rock Stadium will host Super Bowl 54 in the year 2020 after it was awarded to South Florida earlier this year.
Hard Rock Stadium becomes the eighth name in the history of the venue which first opened in 1987.
The naming rights deal is worth nearly $250 million over 18 years.
On hand at the naming announcement were Miami Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel, Hard Rock International Chair Jim Allen, Seminole Tribe of Florida Chair Jim Billie, International music superstar Pitbull, University of Miami Athletic Director Blake James, University of Miami Alumnus Bernie Kosar, Orange Bowl Committee CEO Eric Poms and Miami Super Bowl Host Committee Chair Rodney Barreto.
Dolphins players Jarvis Landry, Ndamukong Suh and Reshad Jones were also in attendance for the event.
The three of them, along with nearly two dozen VIPs, smashed guitars on the playing field to christen the freshly renovated and newly named stadium.
The Dolphins will play their first game at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday, September 1st when they wrap up their preseason schedule against the Tennessee Titans.
Two days later on Saturday, September 3rd the Hurricanes will play their season opener at the stadium against Florida A&M.
The Dolphins open the 2016 NFL season with a pair of road games against the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
Miami's regular season home opener against the Cleveland Browns takes place on September 25th at 1 p.m.