The Dolphins are "increasing most season ticket prices" for '18, an "expected decision in the wake of the privately-financed" $500M renovation to Hard Rock Stadium, according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. Prices for season tickets "will rise" 6-7% per game, and some increases "will be smaller, some lower." This comes after Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross financed the "construction of a roof that covers most seats, plus the installation of additional concession stands and restrooms, among other improvements." Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel said, "We didn't take a huge price increase year one (of the renovations). We didn’t go out with personal seat licenses. We chose to take increases over time." Garfinkel also noted that the Dolphins in '18 "will continue to offer nearly 10,000 seats priced under $55 per game" for season tickets, with "20,000 seats under $63." The Dolphins "declined to specify how many season tickets they have sold," but said that "it’s the most the team has sold" since '10. The Dolphins also "have a waiting list of nearly 2,000 for season tickets" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 11/3). In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde noted the "incremental increases are in keeping with the team philosophy rather than using personal-seat licenses or substantial price increases to pay for the renovations" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 11/4).
GIVING BACK: In Ft. Lauderdale, Chris Perkins notes Ross' RISE (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) program and Dolphins players have "announced a yearly fund for advocacy and social justice programs." The Dolphins and their players will "highlight organizations that also champion these causes during Dolphins home games at Hard Rock Stadium." The RISE program has "reached more than 30,000 people since being created" in October '15 (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 11/6).
