Stephen M. Ross
Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner
Biography
Stephen M. Ross, Chairman and Founder of Related Ross and Non-Executive Chairman and Founder of Related Companies, the most prominent privately-owned real estate firm in the United States, first invested in the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ¸ßÊÖÂÛ̳ in February 2008, and in 2009, assumed the responsibilities of managing general partner of both the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ¸ßÊÖÂÛ̳ and Hard Rock Stadium. The role is the culmination of one of his long-held dreams -- Ross grew up in South Florida and the Dolphins have been a lifetime passion for him.
Stephen M. Ross, Chairman and Founder of Related Ross and Non-Executive Chairman and Founder of Related Companies, the most prominent privately-owned real estate firm in the United States, first invested in the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ¸ßÊÖÂÛ̳ in February 2008, and in 2009, assumed the responsibilities of managing general partner of both the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ¸ßÊÖÂÛ̳ and Hard Rock Stadium. The role is the culmination of one of his long-held dreams -- Ross grew up in South Florida and the Dolphins have been a lifetime passion for him.
Throughout the Dolphins organization, Ross' ethos of building a first-class team on and off the field is etched deep. His more than $1 billion of private investment in Hard Rock Stadium and its surrounding properties has transformed the iconic venue into a global entertainment destination that showcases the best Miami has to offer. From world-class dining to arts, culture and luxury hospitality, Hard Rock Stadium now delivers an elevated guest experience that is unparalleled in professional sports. As a result of the privately-funded renovation, Hard Rock Stadium attracted and secured Super Bowl LIV – which coincided with the 100th season of the NFL – the 2021 and 2026 College Football Playoff National Championships, Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, 2026 FIFA World Cup, major concerts, international soccer matches and a host of world-class events.
With football, Ross has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to provide coaches, support staff and players the necessary resources to build a winning team that will compete consistently for championships. He invested $135 million into the state-of-the-art Baptist Health Training Complex, which opened in July 2021. Completed by Moss Construction with interior design by Rockwell Group and architecture by ROSSETTI, the 217,200 square-foot best-in-class venue was meticulously planned to create a contemporary, welcoming training environment for coaches, players, and staff. It includes a 92,200 square foot indoor field, two full natural grass outdoor fields, a two-story weight room with a cardio deck, a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy area, cryotherapy and isolation tanks and much more.
In the annual NFLPA Player Team Report Cards survey, Ross received the highest ownership grade among all NFL team owners and the Dolphins were ranked first among all 32 teams in 2024, which scores the player experience in a variety of categories. As a result of Ross' investment, the Dolphins received an A-or-higher rating in all 11 categories, including first overall in weight room, training room and training staff, food/cafeteria and team travel. In 2023, the team was ranked second in the NFL in this survey. Ross has also invested in the players' personal and professional development off the field, creating and funding the Dolphins Business Combine, an annual three-day event which allows players to meet with business leaders across a variety of industries and receive training on topics like personal finance, real estate and investments.
In 2016, Ross named Chris Grier as general manager and in 2019 gave him full control of football operations. The team has quickly improved under Grier's leadership, including four consecutive winning seasons (2020-23), marking a first for the franchise since 2000-03. In 2022, Ross made an innovative hire at head coach, selecting Mike McDaniel, who at the time had not received a head coach interview request from another team. Ross identified McDaniel's ingenuity, authentic leadership and outside-the-box thinking as notable traits for a head coach, and in his first two years with the franchise, McDaniel led the team to the playoffs, something Miami had not done in more than 20 years.
Ross, as a sports entrepreneur, is known for his attention to detail and thinking outside the box. He is responsible for orchestrating El Clásico Miami – the first-ever match between archrivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid C.F. in North America – which stands as the highest revenue grossing soccer match in U.S. history. When the Miami Open tennis tournament began to explore leaving its long-time home in Key Biscayne, Florida, Ross stepped in to propose hosting the tournament at Hard Rock Stadium, building a custom tennis complex that is now considered one of the best in professional tennis in terms of guest experience and player amenities.
In April 2021, Ross became the Chairman and Owner of the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. The circuit is 5.41km, has 19 corners, three straights and three DRS zones with an estimated top speed of 320km/h. Hard Rock Stadium sits at the heart of the circuit. Ross and Managing Partner of the Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, Vice Chairman and CEO Tom Garfinkel worked with specialist designers to create a racetrack that provides great racing and unique fan experiences that are reflective of the diverse and dynamic nature of Miami. The inaugural race was named the Best New Event of 2022 by the Sports Business Journal, and in its first three years, the event has delivered an estimated economic impact of more than $1 billion to the South Florida community.
Ross is deeply committed to supporting and uniting the community that supports the Dolphins. Under his stewardship, the Dolphins have raised more than $75 million for local cancer research through the Dolphins Cancer Challenge. In June 2020, Ross and the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ¸ßÊÖÂÛ̳ Foundation announced a year-long Food Relief Program with a $3 million investment and an additional $1 million from the Lennar Foundation. The initiative provided 1,000 meals each day from Centerplate and local minority-owned restaurants to churches, community groups and those in need during the pandemic.
In August 2019, Ross was inducted into the National Football Foundation Leadership Hall of Fame. The prestigious award recognizes the country's most influential individuals who have ascended to the highest levels of success and exhibited the critical leadership qualities that transcend ordinary enterprises.
Furthermore, Ross has used his platform to harness the unifying power of sport to advance race relations across the country through the establishment of the nonprofit Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE). The organization's efforts have been so impactful that RISE was recognized in 2017 by ESPN's Humanitarian Awards with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award. The award celebrates those who have taken risk and used an innovative approach to help the disadvantaged through the power of sports. Ross' efforts through RISE were honored as they personify the ethos of fairness, ethics, respect and fellowship with others. This also connects to Ross' vision of the Dolphins' FOOTBALL UNITESâ„¢ program to effectuate positive social change. Under his leadership, the Dolphins organization actively embraces the diversity and intersections that make up South Florida, working with groups to improve relationships and foster understanding. In February 2020, the аÄÃÅÁùºÏ¸ßÊÖÂÛ̳ were honored by the Fritz Pollard Alliance with the Paul J. Tagliabue Award for their leadership in advancing diversity. Ross was among Sports Business Journal's Leaders in Diversity and Inclusive Hiring honorees in March 2021.
In May 2013, Ross pledged to give more than half of his estate to philanthropic causes and charitable organizations, including South Florida-based institutions. The commitment was made through the Giving Pledge, a long-term global initiative that aims to inspire deeper engagement in philanthropy and increase charitable giving globally.
Ross graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and from Wayne State University Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. He later received a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University School of Law. In 2004, the University of Michigan renamed its business school the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and in 2011, the school awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at its commencement.