The Dolphins are "on the verge of a true sellout for their season opener" against the Patriots on Sunday and are "expecting crowds that top 70,000 for at least the first three home games," according to Adam Beasley of the MIAMI HERALD. More than 72,000 tickets have already been sold for Sunday's game. Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel said that the club is "all but certain to increase the team's overall home attendance for the second consecutive season." Season-ticket sales are "close to 45,000 for 2014" after selling less than 42,000 last year (MIAMI HERALD, 9/5). Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross noted the team has not raised ticket prices in the last five years, as it has been "hard to really attract the fans." But he said the team's $400M renovation to Sun Life Stadium "will help bring fans out there." Ross said the "two responsibilities that an owner has is really to bring a winning team, because that's what the fans really want," but also to "enhance the community." He said while Miami is a "great event city, it had an obsolete stadium and we weren't going to get Super Bowls." Ross said a new or renovated stadium "is very important" to attract fans to games because "we know how great it is on television." Enhancing the in-game experience for fans is "probably one of the most important things you can do" ("Squawk Box," CNBC, 9/5).
