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Dolphins Stadium
Home of the Florida Marlins
In 1987, Dolphins Stadium opened it's doors as a 75,000 seat, $115 million venue. It was the first stadium of it's kind to be constructed solely with private funds. Season ticket holders agreed to long term commitments in return for first-class amenities which, in addition to the vigorous financing campaign initiated by the late Joe Robbie, led to construction of the Dolphins Stadium that we know today. Because of his involvement, the venue was initially known as Joe Robbie Stadium.
In March 1990, H. Wayne Huizenga, who was then Chairman of the Board and CEO of Blockbuster Video and Huizenga Holdings Inc., decided to purchase one half of Joe Robbie Stadium. Huizenga began a campaign of his own; one that would bring Major League Baseball to Miami. In July 1991, his efforts paid off when South Florida received a National League expansion franchise. In 1994, Huizenga purchased the remaining part of Joe Robbie Stadium, which left him with complete ownership. Since then, millions of dollars in renovations and improvements have been made in order to keep the stadium one of the nicest facilities in America.
In 1996, the sports apparel division of Fruit of the Loom, also known as Pro Player, purchase the renaming rights of Joe Robbie Stadium and later titled it as Pro Player Stadium. Pro Player became the first ever sports marketing and products company to be recognized in the title of a stadium or arena.
Pro Player Stadium hosted it's inaugural football game in August 1987 as the Miami Dolphins and the Chicago Bears took the field. The stadium also hosted Super Bowl XXIII in January 1989. After 10 years of absence, the Super Bowl had finally returned to South Florida. In 1995 and 1999, the Super Bowl again returned to Pro Player Stadium.
In 1993, Pro Player Stadium announced their new tenants, the Florida Marlins, as they began their inaugural season as a National League team. In April, the Florida Marlins welcomed the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 6-3 defeat, which commemorated their first game with a victory. In 1997, Pro Player Stadium hosted four World Series games.
After having hosted only the Miami Dolphins, Pro Player Stadium required some renovations in order to also accommodate a Major League Baseball team. Additions included retractable seating, a baseball press box, construction of baseball dugouts and the addition of new lighting suitable for night games. The renovation project also included the addition of a baseball clubhouse and other baseball amenities.
In January 2005, Pro Player Stadium was renamed Dolphins Stadium as part of the renovation project, which was defined by Wayne Huizenga, who still owns the stadium to this day.
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