NFL owners have "approved a succession plan" for the Dolphins that would give N.Y.-based real estate firm Related Cos. President Bruce Beal Jr. "the right of first option to purchase the franchise" should current Owner Stephen Ross die or decide to sell, according sources cited by Jason La Canfora of CBSSPORTS.com. The arrangement was "proposed at the recent NFL owners meeting" and was "passed when the league's owners voted on it at the time." The league and teams "generally do not announce such arrangements, but they are not out of the norm." Sources said that with situations like the Titans' succession "among those that have become cloudy," Ross wanted to be "proactive in his approach." La Canfora noted Ross has "very strong ties to the Beal family, as Ross founded Related Companies" in '72. Sources said that this "is not an indication that Ross has any inclination to sell any time, but rather emphasized the pre-emptive maneuver is 'responsible succession planning.'" The arrangement "does not guarantee that Beal will purchase the team" (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/7). In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde notes the NFL "requires each owner to meet with league officials once a year and provide updates on succession plans." Ross was "just doing his due diligence" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/8).
