Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is a charitable chap, and it’s newsworthy that, via CBS Detroit, he’s pledged $200 million to the University of Michigan for its business and athletic programs.
“The University of Michigan had a profound impact on my life and I have received enormous satisfaction from being able to give back to the institution that played such a critical role in my success,” Ross said in a statement.
“I am thrilled to be able to make such an impactful contribution and to not only help write the next chapter for the university, but also offer much-needed scholarships to ensure we continue to attract the best and the brightest students and provide them with the financial resources they need.”
All of that is great. Education is important, and if you’ve got any cash left over, supporting an athletic program is a commendable move to make.
But lest you forget, Ross wants the public to fund part of a potential new stadium for his team, and at this point, he’s not willing to back down from that idea.
As the South Florida area geared up to try to win the hosting job for Super Bowl L or Super Bowl LI, the Dolphins organization tried its best to broker an agreement that would allow an imperative new stadium to be built, in part, with public financing.
The Florida state legislature, though, decided not to act on that potential, and without an agreement in place, the NFL gave those Super Bowls to San Francisco and Houston, respectively.
Afterward, here’s what Ross said: "I can't do it alone -- I think I went out further than any owner's ever gone out in offering to a city to really put up money and deliver a new, modernized stadium. So I think I'm going to have to do it with local people -- I think they'll realize the weather alone won't bring marquee events."
Ross later was asked if he'd be willing to finance the stadium with private funds solely, and basically, Ross said no.
Again, I think it’s wonderful that Ross enjoys giving his money to causes and people who need it. But he’s also worth about $4 billion, and I still can’t figure out why he can’t fund a new stadium by himself if a new stadium is what he really wants.
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