
Imago
FOXBOROUGH, MA – OCTOBER 06: Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross smiles as time expires during a game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins on October 6, 2024, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 06 Dolphins at Patriots EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon482241006272

Imago
FOXBOROUGH, MA – OCTOBER 06: Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross smiles as time expires during a game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins on October 6, 2024, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 06 Dolphins at Patriots EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon482241006272
Essentials Inside The Story
- Stephen Ross gets a $15 billion offer after team goes 7-10 in the regular season
- The Dolphins ownership is a family matter at this point
- Miami hasn't won a Lombardi since 1974 and Ross expects to change it
A $15 billion offer can change everything for an NFL franchise. However, for Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, despite a 7-10 season, it simply confirmed a decision he’d already made, as he clarified on Wednesday.
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“I’m going to keep it in the family,” Ross said in an interview with Bloomberg News in Palm Beach, Florida. “My son-in-law, who is involved in sports. He had worked for me before he married my daughter. He is terrific and he will kind of run it, will stay in the family.”
Ross acquired the Fins in 2009 after buying out former owner Wayne Huizenga. He paid $1 billion for a 50 percent stake and soon owned it all. Since then, the Dolphins’ value has exploded. Forbes valued them at $7.5 billion in August, ranking them as the NFL’s 11th most valuable franchise.
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While he doesn’t plan on moving on any time soon, he clearly identified his son-in-law, Daniel Sillman, as his heir.
Sillman runs Relevent as CEO, a major player in global soccer media and live events. The company also handles marketing for the UEFA Champions League and other top European competitions. On top of that, Sillman sharpened his business mind at the University of Michigan, the same school where Ross is one of its most prominent alumni. The business school is also named after Ross. Interestingly, Sillman is already deep in daily Dolphins business.
Stephen Ross says he’s been offered close to $15 BILLION for the Miami Dolphins.
His succession plan is to keep it in the family and have his son-in-law Daniel Sillman run it. pic.twitter.com/g2KMzrs4Kb
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) January 14, 2026
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Sillman’s connection to Ross extends beyond family and their shared alma mater; he is already deeply involved in the team’s football operations, recently taking part in interviews for both general manager and head coaching candidates as Miami searches for Mike McDaniel’s replacement. The Dolphins hired general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
However, there’s one glitch. The NFL has clear rules that teams must submit a written succession plan. Accordingly, Ross previously named his daughters, Jennifer and Kimberly, as future owners. Eventually, they will control the franchise. This interview was the first time Ross shared Sillman’s role in the franchise. So now, Kimberly’s husband, Sillman, has become the heir apparent. But that’s not the only behind-the-scenes story Ross shared.
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Stephen Ross reveals the $15 billion offer for the Miami Dolphins
In the same interview, Stephen Ross pulled back the curtain on just how wild the offers have been for the franchise after the inflation in franchise valuations.
“I don’t think there’s a better asset, you know. People say, I know what I’ve been offered. I mean, numbers you wouldn’t believe.” When pressed further, he did not dodge it. Instead, he admitted the figure was “close to $15 billion.”
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In just 16 years, Ross has increased the team’s value six times the price he originally bought it, showing his business acumen. Still, money is not the missing piece. When asked what his ownership lacks, Ross gave one sharp answer: “Winning.”
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That hits harder when you remember the Dolphins have not lifted a Lombardi since the 1973 season, when they went back-to-back under head coach Don Shula. In fact, in the last 23 seasons, they’ve made only four playoff appearances. This season’s 7-10 finish only adds to the frustration. So, it’s time for a reset.
First, Miami moved on from Chris Grier back in October and finally filled that long-open spot by hiring Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager. Not long after, the Dolphins showed Mike McDaniel the door. The franchise is clearly in transition, searching for stability at the top, and selling the team would only pour gasoline on that fire.
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However, that’s not in Stephen Ross’ plans, even with a jaw-dropping $15 billion offer sitting on the table.
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