MIAMI (AP) -Thanks to Bill Parcells, Stephen Ross takes over the Miami Dolphins with the franchise’s fortunes on the upswing.
And Ross expects to keep Parcells around.
Ross, a New York real estate billionaire, completed his purchase of 95 percent of the franchise for $1 billion Tuesday, with Wayne Huizenga retaining a 5 percent interest.
Ross then addressed speculation he and Parcells might not be hitting it off. The sale triggered a clause in Parcells’ contract allowing him to leave and still receive the $9-12 million remaining on the four-year contract he signed a year ago.
“Parcells is in charge,” Ross said in a conference call. “He’s staying, and I think we’re very fortunate to have someone like Bill Parcells, who I think people have come to recognize as probably the best football mind in America.”
the Dolphins were coming off a 1-15 season, the worst in team history. Under the new Parcells regime, they improved to 11-6 this season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
Ross plans to meet Friday with Parcells, general manager Jeff Ireland and coach Tony Sparano, and said he foresees no changes on the football side.
As the sale was completed, Parcells broke his silence on the subject of his status. Scouting players practicing for the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., he spoke briefly with several reporters and was asked if he planned to remain as the Dolphins’ vice president of football operations.
“What does it look like I’m doing?” he said. “What do your eyes tell you?”
When asked why he wouldn’t commit outright to staying, Parcells said experience taught him never to rule anything out. He said if something happened to change his mind, he’d “hate to be called a liar.”
But Parcells said he likes Ross and is not seeking a new contract.
“It’s not about money,” Parcells said. “I’ve got more than I can spend.”
Ross said he’s 100 percent certain Parcells will stay for another season.
“I feel very, very comfortable with him, and I think he feels comfortable with me,” Ross said. “I think we’ve developed a good rapport.”
nchise, Dolphin Stadium and the surrounding land from Huizenga for $550 million, with an agreement to later become managing general partner.
Ross closed on the purchase of an additional 45 percent Tuesday. That part of the agreement received pre-approval from the NFL in October.
Huizenga, 71, became sole owner of the Dolphins in 1994. A year ago he said it was time for someone else to assume control.
“The sale represents a bittersweet moment for me, but the timing is right to complete it,” he said in a statement. “I know under Steve’s leadership the Dolphins are in outstanding hands.”
Huizenga bought 15 percent of the Dolphins and 50 percent of the stadium from team founder Joe Robbie’s family in 1990. Total cost of those purchases was $168 million.
The Dolphins never reached the Super Bowl under Huizenga’s ownership.
Ross said he found the atmosphere at the Dolphins’ recent playoff game electrifying and wants to build on this season’s success.
“It brings a community together,” he said. “I look at this team much like you look at a public utility. It’s really the fans’ team.”
l minority partners, but none has agreed to invest yet.
Ross, 68, made his billions as a lawyer and developer and is chairman of Related Companies, an international real estate development company. He has homes in New York and Palm Beach, and with a net worth of $4.5 billion, he ranked 78th in 2008 on Forbes’ list of the richest Americans.
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