The Internet leak last week of the Dolphins’ new logo “was indeed the new logo,” according to sources cited by Armando Salguero of the MIAMI HERALD. The Dolphins “originally planned to unveil the new gear April 18 but has changed that and will now do it April 25, which is also the first day of the NFL Draft.” Team officials “know some fans will initially dislike the new logo,” but they also expect “many fans to embrace the change and flock to stores to buy the Nike gear and jerseys that will bear the new logo and new look.” There is expected to be more buzz “than there was a couple of weeks ago for things that actually have an effect on winning and losing such as the addition" of free agent WR Mike Wallace. There will be “so much buzz about this change that the team is uncertain how media covering the draft and the official logo and uniform reveal on the same day ... will divide resources and determine priorities.” When the team’s first-round pick is announced it will be “the first time the gear will be on national TV.” Salguero notes some believe the NFL “asked for the move and owner Stephen Ross, vying to land a Super Bowl in May, compromised in order to gain favor.” It is also possible the club “is using the draft to shield the new logo and uniforms from a chorus of criticism.” The color scheme of the new logo reportedly “will be a throwback to the team’s roots.” The aqua and orange “somehow morphed over the years sometimes getting darker, sometimes lighter, sometimes even looking a bit turquoise or teal or even somewhere in the green family when none of that was the original intent.” The mascot will be “parallel to the ground and seem to be flying through the orange sunburst, which is bigger now” (MIAMI HERALD, 3/27).
PUBLIC DISPUTE: The HERALD’s Salguero reported the Dolphins have been “simmering privately” about former Eagles Owner and local car dealer Norman Braman's “lobbying of politicians against their efforts and public stance against the team in the media” in their effort to gain public funds for Sun Life Stadium renovations. Dolphins CEO Mike Dee yesterday “took to twitter and went after Braman.” Dee wrote, "With the offer that is now on the table, Norman Braman is frankly irrelevant to this conversation." He added, "When he agrees to repay the public money he accepted for his dealership, we will be happy to acknowledge his otherwise hypocritical stance" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 3/26).
