Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said he was offered a staggering sum to sell the team but turned it down.
During an interview with Bloomberg, Ross discussed the future of the franchise and who could succeed him in the future. After Ross mentioned wanting to keep the Dolphins within his family, he said he had been offered a substantial amount for the team.
“I don’t think there is a better asset,” Ross said. “I know what I’ve been offered. Numbers you wouldn’t believe… I mean close to $15 billion. Pretty high numbers.”
If Ross had sold the team for $15 billion, it would have crushed not only the NFL record for the sale of a team but the record for any team in the United States.
In 2023, an ownership group led by Josh Harris purchased the Washington Commanders for $6.05 billion. The highest amount ever paid for a U.S. team was in 2025 when the Los Angeles Lakers were sold to Mark Walter for $10 billion.
Ross then explained why he chose not to sell the team given the offers he received.
“I don’t have to go all around looking for equity and at the same time, I think the growth of that is much greater than the team,” Ross said. “If I sell 10%, 20%, I have total control and I also have all the capital to fuel the businesses. Fortunately, I’m able to really be involved in South Florida and to make the ideas of what I see happen, so it’s good fuel.”
The value of NFL teams continues to rise each year, especially with the increased revenue the league receives in media contracts and the league’s continual growth in international markets.
According to CNBC’s 2025 NFL team valuations, the Dolphins are valued at $8.55 billion, the ninth-highest valuation among teams. In comparison, the Giants are third at a $10.5 billion valuation, the Jets are sixth at $9.1 billion and the Eagles are 10th at $8.5 billion.