Tebow Helps Dolphins' Sagging Ticket Sales
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – Former Gator star and current Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow is expected to be the star attraction at Sunday's game against the Dolphins and his starting position is giving the winless 'Fins a welcome boost in ticket sales.
Tebow will make his first start of the season Sunday when the Denver Broncos play at Miami, and Dolphins CEO Mike Dee said he's optimistic the game will be sellout.
More than 10,000 tickets have been sold since Tebow was promoted to the starting job last week, Dee said Wednesday.
"The demand and interest in the game certainly has picked up since the announcement," Dee said. "Clearly this matchup and the buzz that's out there have helped with tickets."
The Dolphins have avoided black outs since the start of the 2001 season, but attendance has been in decline the past couple of years. They have an 0-5 record this year and have lost 11 of their past 12 home games, further fueling fan apathy.
"There has never been Tim Tebow Day," Dee said. "It has always been about a celebration of the 2008 Gators team. There will be more than 20 players from that team represented."
The planned salute to the Gators angered fans of the Miami Hurricanes. The ceremony will take place on the field where the Hurricanes play.
"I bet that they're not honoring the University of Miami in Gainesville," Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris tweeted. "I'm just saying!"
Dee said the Dolphins support both the Hurricanes and the Gators and must be aggressive in attracting new fans.
Tebow laughed when asked about the Dolphins' decision to honor the Gators.
"Oh, man. Good question," he said. "I think it's something that's very nice for them to do. It's extremely humbling and honoring."
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