Reaction to the Dolphins' "brawnier" mascot that sports
"deeper colors" and a "slightly snarly" look was "mixed,"
according to Salguero & Brecher of the MIAMI HERALD.
Approximately 150,000 Internet users logged on to see the
new logo and uniform, and the "majority" approved although
there were "detractors." Salguero & Brecher note "the
changes from old [logo] to new are significant but not
explicit," with the Dolphins' new uniforms featuring a
darker aqua color and the addition of royal blue in the
striping and as a shadow behind the numbers. Dolphins
President Eddie Jones said that the new uniform and logo
will appear in local stores "within a month." The team is
also working on a third version of the uniform that it hopes
to get approved later by NFLP. The uniform will be kept
secret until approved (MIAMI HERALD, 1/15).
HUIZENGA'S ADVANTAGE: Wayne Huizenga is opening a
Florida retail presence with Home Team Advantage, featuring
merchandise from Huizenga's Marlins, Dolphins and NHL
Panthers, according to Larry Lebowitz in the Ft. Lauderdale
SUN-SENTINEL. Home Team Advantage is set to open February 1
in Ft. Lauderdale. Huizenga Holdings spokesperson Stan
Smith said that the company is trying to keep a "low
profile" about the store. Smith: "It'll give us the
opportunity to test products and specialty items. Its not a
big part of our plans"(Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 1/13).
HOT STOCK: Shares of the NHL Panthers, up about 90%
since going public last November at $10 a share, are now
trading in the $19 range, according to CNN's John Defterios
on "Moneyline." Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Sports Analyst
Marc Sulam: "The attractiveness of the Panthers is the
ability to invest with Wayne Huizenga and his associates as
he builds a sports entertainment and leisure company." But
since the team lost money in its first three years and isn't
expected to make a profit over the next two years, Defterios
notes "some analysts are wary" of the stock (CNN, 1/14).
