Orange Bowl History and Information
The stadium, originally called Dolphin Stadium, was the first of its kind to be constructed entirely with private funds. The late Joe Robbie led the financing campaign to build "Joe Robbie Stadium" for the Miami Dolphins of the NFL. JRS revolutionized the economics of professional sports when it opened in 1987. Inclusion of a club level, along with executive suites, helped to finance the construction of the stadium. Season ticket holders committed to long-term agreements and, in return, received first-class amenities in the state-of-the-art facility, which is still used as a model for new facilities across the country.
On March 7, 1990, H. Wayne Huizenga, then chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Blockbuster Video and Huizenga Holdings Inc., agreed to purchase 50 percent of Joe Robbie Stadium and became the point man in the drive to bring Major League Baseball to South Florida. The effort was rewarded in July of 1991, when South Florida was awarded a National League expansion franchise. On January 24, 1994, Mr. Huizenga acquired the remaining 50 percent of the stadium. Since 1991, several million dollars have been spent to upgrade and renovate the stadium. The improvement and revitalization of the building under Huizenga allowed the stadium to remain the finest sports and entertainment facility in the United States.
On August 26,1996, Pro Player, the sports apparel division of Fruit of the Loom, sponsored the renaming of Joe Robbie Stadium as Pro Player Stadium. Pro Player became the first sports marketing and products company to entitle a stadium or arena.
The first football game in Joe Robbie Stadium was held on Aug. 16, 1987, when the Miami Dolphins met the Chicago Bears in a preseason battle. The stadium hosted the National Football League's premier game, Super Bowl XXIII on Jan. 22, 1989. It marked the return of the Super Bowl to South Florida after a ten-year absence. A second Super Bowl was hosted when Super Bowl XXIX was played in the facility on January 29, 1995. Most recently a third Super Bowl returned to Pro Player Stadium when Super Bowl XXXIII was played on January 31, 1999.
Major League Baseball officially began in South Florida in the spring of 1993, as the Florida Marlins opened their inaugural campaign. On April 5, 1993, the "new" look of Pro Player Stadium as a baseball facility was unveiled to the public for the first time as the Marlins hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Marlins began their existence by finishing the first day in first place with a 6-3 win over the Dodgers.
The whole world watched in excitement in October 1997, when Pro Player Stadium hosted games one, two, six and seven of the World Series. Over 65,000 fans packed the stadium for all four games to see the Marlins claim the World Championship in dramatic fashion. This past season, Florida won its second World Championship, this time over the storied New York Yankees. Fans again came out in droves, averaging nearly 66,000 for three games. Before the arrival of the Marlins, the stadium had played host to 13 Spring Training games, attracting 370,000 fans and paving the way for baseball in South Florida.
Behind the scenes, Pro Player Stadium underwent renovations to accommodate Major League Baseball and the Marlins. The conversion included the installation of retractable seating on the north side of the stadium, the construction of the baseball press box in the southwest corner of the facility, the building of the dugouts, the addition of 660 new lights suitable for night play and the installation of an electric disappearing pitcher's mound. The stadium also features a synthetic warning track designed to absorb water. At the time, the only other facility to feature this type of track was Oriole Park at Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles. The renovation also included the construction of the Marlins clubhouse and other amenities to accommodate baseball at Pro Player Stadium.
On the field, Dolphins Stadium is equipped with a new Prescription Athletic Turf (PAT) system, which provides draining for its natural grass. At a cost of one million dollars, the new system provides three times the drainage capacity of the old systems and ensures a firm, dry playing surface within half an hour's time after as much as a three-inch-per-hour rain fall.
World Class Events
Dolphins Stadium displays its versatility every year by hosting a wide variety of events. Along with Miami Dolphins football and Florida Marlins baseball, college football takes the field with the FedEx Orange Bowl. Super Bowl XXXIII was held at Dolphins Stadium January 31, 1999 as were two other Super Bowls. Florida Atlantic University Football also calls Dolphins Stadium their home.
Dolphins Stadium has also played host to numerous concerts, including U2, Elton John and Billy Joel, the Rolling Stones, Gloria Estefan, The Who, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, and the Three Tenors World Tour.
Other events held at Dolphins Stadium include international soccer games, featuring the United States World Cup Team, high school football, television commercials, movies, corporate meetings and numerous trade shows.
*Note: Information was taken from the Orange Bowl Offical website for infromational purposes only.
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