MIAMI SOUND MACHINE: Gloria Estefan, Miami Dolphins minority shareholder. (Harold Leighton)
It could have been President Barack Obama taking ownership in the Miami Dolphins with so many press reporters, cameramen, and women at the ready. I counted 25 TV and movie cameras and was informed that some 150 media personnel would be attending this marriage of the “Salsa King and Queen of Rock and Roll” with the Miami Dolphins.
Gloria and Emilio Estefan have many fans and are loved and respected for their music. The Estefans are long-time fans of the Dolphins, having shared their love for the team for as long as they have been living in South Florida.
“I remember like it was yesterday, the feeling of pride that we all felt in 1972 when the Miami Dolphins made history by having an undefeated season,” says Emilio.
“Gloria and I feel the same sense of pride today in becoming partners with Steve Ross and the Miami Dolphins franchise.
“Steve has this incredible passion for his team and is a man who truly understands and appreciates the diversity in our community. We are so proud to be sharing in this new era of the Miami Dolphins with visionaries like Steve and Jimmy Buffet whose love for South Florida is awe-inspiring.”
“The ownership will reflect the diversity of South Florida,” said Steve Ross, Managing General Partner of the Miami Dolphins and Land Shark Stadium.
“Having the Estefans join the team as partners is just the first step that will include many of the diverse elements of the Florida community as part of the group ownership.”
“We are looking forward to their contribution to enhance the game-day experience for the fans. I am honored and excited that they are connected in this way,” concluded Ross.
Monday Night Football
Gloria, a five-time Grammy award winning singer/songwriter is a music icon in both English and Spanish, and has sold over 90 million records worldwide. She has recorded 24 albums throughout in her prolific career.She recently recorded the opening of Monday Night Football’s signature theme song for the Dolphins’ two nationally televised games on ESPN. The song, “Are You Ready for Some Football” was recorded in collaboration with Hank Williams Jr.
Gloria will also participate with Monday Night Football for the Dolphins game against the New York Jets on October 12, in conjunction with the NFL celebration of Hispanic Heritage month.
The Estefan move comes on the heels of several exciting business announcements, including the renaming of Dolphin Stadium to Land Shark Stadium through the partnership with Jimmy Buffet, and an innovative partnership with Kangaroo Media to provide hand held wireless units to premium seat holders.
Harold Leighton lives and writes in Boca Raton, FL.