Billionaire Stephen Ross has announced that his son-in-law, Daniel Sillman, will be the eventual successor as owner of the Miami Dolphins. Ross, 85, made this statement during an interview with Bloomberg.
“I’m fortunate,” Ross said in the interview.
Ross declined to disclose who recently offered $15 billion for the Dolphins, a deal that would have yielded him a $14 billion return on his original investment. In 2024, Puck reported that a proposed transaction between Ross and fellow Palm Beach billionaire Ken Griffin fell through late in negotiations; that deal would have valued both the team and Hard Rock Stadium at $7.5 billion.
It is not yet clear whether Sillman’s future responsibilities as team owner will also include oversight of Hard Rock Stadium or other sports ventures controlled by Ross. Beyond football, Ross holds exclusive rights to host Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix until 2041.
Ross originally acquired the Dolphins in 2009 for $1 billion. The value of NFL franchises has risen sharply since then due to limited supply—there are only 32 teams—and profitable media contracts.
Sillman is reportedly participating in interviews as the Dolphins search for a new general manager and head coach. He is also co-founder and CEO of Relevent, a soccer media company supported by Ross’ RSE Ventures.
In recent years, Ross has shifted focus from New York City to West Palm Beach, investing heavily in office real estate through his firm Related Ross. His projects accounted for some of South Florida’s largest office leases last year, and he secured a record-setting $772 million construction financing package last month for two office developments.
