Politicks

Norman Braman Promises to Defeat Dolphins Stadium Referendum With His Own Money

By Kyle Munzenrieder Wed., Feb. 13 2013 at 10:19 AM
Categories: Politicks, Sports
Thumbnail image for normanbraman200.jpg
One of Norman Braman's main beefs with the Marlins shady stadium deal was that the public never got to directly vote on the matter. Though, the fact that Dolphins are supporting a public vote on their quest to get tax money to fund a portion of their planned upgrades to Sun Life Stadium isn't enough to get Braman to back down in this fight. He tells the Miami Herald he'll do "whatever I can possibly can" to make sure the stadium referendum is defeated.

Braman says he plans to use his own money to back a campaign to get voters to oppose the deal.

Braman says the he recently met with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, but his mind wasn't changed.

"I respect Steve. He's a good person," Braman told Barry Jackson. "But the man is worth over $4 billion. He can afford to do it himself. It's welfare for billionaires. The [proposed] roof [over the stands] has nothing to do with attracting Super Bowls; they're playing outdoors in [New Jersey] next year. The vote is a gimmick."

A billionaire auto-magnate and one-time owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, almost all of Braman's political efforts are fueled by his disdain for taxpayer funding of sports stadium.

He failed to derail the Marlins deal, but then turned around and had the mayor who approved the deal, Miami-Dade's Carlos Alvarez, recalled. What can we say? The man just really, really hates public funding for stadiums.

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Bill Brock
Bill Brock

Negotiating the ROI will reveal how real the business model of pro sports is - once the gov't/taxpayer teat isn't feeding them. If it isn't lucrative, then it is a failed business model, they'd have to merge the fans who use the stadia into the investor group, and they can decide if its worth their money - once the gov't/taxpayer teat is removed from the equation. NO MORE PUBLIC FUNDS TO BILLIONAIRE WELFARE QUEENS!

Mike Rivero
Mike Rivero

I like that idea Bill Brock. We should convene a community round table with these businesses on order to discuss how much revenue they will get in return for their investment in the Dolphins Stadium. Make it lucrative for them, so they can invest.

Bill Brock
Bill Brock

Michael, then if that money comes into the economy, it primarily goes to the private economy, like hotel chains, airlines, car rental companies, etc. - let them pay, or, rather, let them INVEST in their own business models and advertising. That's what the rest of us small business owners do. If the affiliated profitable businesses that seek super bowl dollars want to make that profit, it is they who should invest in the stadia they desire - not the rest of us. NO MORE PUBLIC FUNDS TO BILLIONAIRE WELFARE QUEENS!

Ked Killjoy
Ked Killjoy

The Dolphins do need a upgrade but since they went ahead and gave those sorry ass Marlins a new stadium then the Dolphins cant get a upgrade. The Marlins stadium is a waste of money. Im with Norman on this one.

alexandersibila
alexandersibila

IF I WAS NORMAN BRAMAN I WOULD SAVE MY MONEY AND CONCENTRATE ON BMW OF NORTH AMERICA SUING HIM FOR SCAMMING THE WARRANTY AND MANIPULATING THE WARRANTY INDEX TO AVOID AN AUDIT, HAVING SAID THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AS WE SPEAK IS PREPARING A MAJOR AUDIT AGAINST BRAMAN BMW AND MINI,.

PREPARE MILLIONS TO PAY BACK TYANKS TO JORGE ROUCCO AND KENT HARTE

Michael Garcia-Juelle
Michael Garcia-Juelle

You guys are all failing to recognize that Miami will no longer be in the regular rotation for super bowl, bcs championships, and other major events if our stadium isn't updated. The super bowl brings about $400 million to the local economy. That includes waiters, bartenders, taxi drivers, as well as small business owners. I was against the county paying for Marlins Park but these upgrades are necessary and will pay for themselves with the first Super Bowl we get, which will easily be within five years IF we get the upgrades. As for Norman Braman, he can eat a bag of dicks.

David Alejandro
David Alejandro

Mr. Ross I want a bigger house, since we no longer fit in mine. How about u pay for half of it. THANKS !!!

jgcamp99
jgcamp99 topcommenter

A shame, becuase I would have supported Sun Life being spruced up but never would have supported the new Marlins ball park. Sun Life would've continued to support both teams, Dolphins & Marlins. The games need to be played outdoors and if not roll the convertible roof over the stadium for rain storms. And it would've come in under what Marlins stadium cost, so it would've helped the 2 teams for the same money rather than screw the taxpayer for twice as much. If a new stadium be built, move the Dolphins and Marlins into it and make it large enough for both teams to get a capacity crowd inside it. It is what it is ? Not certain what the plan is for Sun Life should they ever need to demolish it and start over, it's in the center of that area, so it's hard to build next to it at the same time ?

Bill Brock
Bill Brock

Brian, it is about setting a legal precedent. NO MORE PUBLIC FUNDS TO BILLIONAIRE WELFARE QUEENS!

Whatya Gonnado
Whatya Gonnado

Ross should pay for this out of his own pocket. That's what a real NFL owner would do. Joe Robbie did it and so can Ross!! RIP Joe Robbie

Brian Enriquez
Brian Enriquez

I have a better idea instead of spending his Money to stop it why doesn’t he just give it to the Dolphins therefore not having to vote on it and the Dolphins still renovate the stadium and he would be a hero for not using public money.

Ferny Prego
Ferny Prego

Steve Ross and all those invested in the Dolphins have more than enough money to cover the renovations that are on that referendum... Public funding for stadiums doesn't even make sense when the public gets nothing in return (i.e. Marlins Park).

Ferny Prego
Ferny Prego

Anyone remember when they were all about the Marlins stadium being built?? I'm sure all those people are extremely pleased at how things are now going in Little Havana.

Najsoj Osnola
Najsoj Osnola

I agree...they can do w/e the hell they want as long as its not funded by public money

Mike Rivero
Mike Rivero

the stadium renovations look awesome! as long as they are not funded by public dollars. The dolphins can afford it, as well as all their stock holders. Considering the possibilities for South Florida, i think it would be a worthwhile investment for them. Also, screw the Marlins.

Chris Male
Chris Male

Norman for mayor of dade County.

drakemallard
drakemallard topcommenter like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

Every year, millions of taxpayer dollars are poured into stadiums, 
hockey rinks, baseball parks, and other arenas in order to attract and retain 
professional sports teams in big cities.  Often the money is spent by 
the cities after a team "threatens" to leave the city.When that happens, of course, the local news media act as the willing
accomplices of the billionaires who own the teams.When city and state governments build facilities for sports organizations which are owned by billionaires, and raise taxes as a result, it is clearly an abuse of power.


it time for more recalls /jail time

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