Sports NFL Miami Dolphins Dolphins’ Tom Garfinkel out as team’s president, CEO Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, left, and Tom Garfinkel celebrate a interception in the closing minute vs the Saints on Nov. 30, 2025 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The Dolphins announced Garfinkel is stepping down as president and CEO. (Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel File) By David Furones | dfurones@sunsentinel.com | South Florida Sun Sentinel PUBLISHED: August 4, 2026 at 12:16 PM EDT | UPDATED: August 4, 2026 at 3:57 PM EDT Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... MIAMI GARDENS — Tom Garfinkel is out as Miami Dolphins president and CEO as the franchise continues to embark on a new era ahead of the 2026 season. The Dolphins announced Tuesday that Garfinkel is stepping away from those roles with the team after 13 years. Garfinkel will remain a part of the organization as vice chairman of the Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium and managing partner of the Miami Grand Prix. Along with Garfinkel stepping down, Dolphins owner Steve Ross announced the start of Ross Sports & Entertainment (RSE), which brings together the Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Grand Prix, Miami Open tennis and the Precision Drive Club into one entity. Ross named son-in-law Daniel Sillman, who is set to succeed Ross as owner, as CEO of the new RSE. Sillman has worked closely alongside Ross for nearly a decade and has had an elevated role with the organization within the past year, as the Dolphins have reshaped the organization from the top down. “Tom has had one of the most impactful executive tenures in professional sports history,” Ross said in a statement. “When he joined our organization, we envisioned creating a world-class sports and entertainment company that would redefine what was possible for a franchise, a stadium and a community. Together we turned that vision into reality. “Tom assembled an extraordinary leadership team and created an incredible foundation for continued growth. While he is stepping away from the day-to-day responsibilities of CEO, I am grateful that he will continue to play an important role as Vice Chairman and a trusted advisor to Danny and me.” Sillman will now oversee football operations for the Dolphins, with general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, coach Jeff Hafley and executive vice president of football operations Brandon Shore reporting directly to him, according to the team’s release. Sullivan and Hafley were both hired this year, and Shore was promoted to his new role. Related Articles Dolphins GM feels rookie Kadyn Proctor is adjusting to guard in NFL; Miami to face QB Kirk Cousins in opener Chris Perkins: Dolphins’ defense has high hopes, but will need young players to step up Five Miami Dolphins players to watch during the 2026 season Dolphins’ Jordyn Brooks embraces underdog mentality: ‘Us against the world’ Chris Perkins: Three things I like about Dolphins roster and three things I don’t like “Danny’s deep familiarity with the organization’s businesses, combined with his experience building globally recognized sports and media companies, uniquely positions him to lead Ross Sports & Entertainment into its next phase of operation,” Ross said in his statement. “He understands our culture, our ambitions, and where we’re headed, and I have complete confidence in his ability to lead the organization into this new era.” Garfinkel was largely involved in revolutionizing the Dolphins from a football franchise into a diversified sports and entertainment business. He increased annual revenues by more than 400 percent and secured more than $3 billion in future contractually obligated sponsorship income, according to the team’s release. Garfinkel was a key figure in remodeling Hard Rock Stadium, building the team’s current practice facility adjacent to the stadium in Miami Gardens, and growing the Dolphins Cancer Challenge into the NFL’s largest charitable fundraiser. He also played a key role in bringing the F1 Miami Grand Prix to South Florida, securing the event through 2041, establishing a 30-year agreement to host the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium, and winning bids to host the 2020 Super Bowl, the 2021 and 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Games, and seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “I love the Dolphins and the people here, but after 13 years it was just the right time for me to make this decision,” said Garfinkel in a statement. “The business has never been in a better place and the team of people we have here is second to none in sports. I want to thank the South Florida community and Dolphins fans for all of their support over the years and especially Steve Ross for the opportunity to be a part of this great organization. “He is a visionary leader and a team owner who always strives to be best-in-class, and he provides his people all the trust and resources needed to be successful. I have every confidence in where this organization is headed on and off the field under Danny’s leadership, and I’m excited about the new challenges that will come moving forward.” Sillman currently serves as co-founder and executive chairman of Relevent, one of the world’s leading privately owned sports and media rights companies. He will continue that venture alongside his responsibilities as CEO of Ross Sports & Entertainment. “It is an incredible honor to lead Ross Sports & Entertainment at such an exciting moment,” said Sillman in a statement. “Tom and this leadership team have built one of the most admired organizations in global sports. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many of them and have seen firsthand the culture, ambition and relentless pursuit of excellence that define this enterprise. “Our opportunity now is to build on that extraordinary foundation — continuing to innovate, expanding our global reach and delivering best-in-class experiences for fans, partners and our community while pursuing championships on the field and excellence across every part of the business. Ross Sports & Entertainment is uniquely positioned to shape the future of sports, entertainment and live experiences, and I couldn’t be more excited for what lies ahead.” Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Most Popular Most Popular Cubans living in Florida are being deported to Africa Cubans living in Florida are being deported to Africa Stephen Ross is remaking West Palm Beach Stephen Ross is remaking West Palm Beach Chris Perkins: Three things I like about Dolphins roster and three things I don’t like Chris Perkins: Three things I like about Dolphins roster and three things I don't like Tiger Woods pleads no contest to reckless driving charge over rollover crash in Florida Tiger Woods pleads no contest to reckless driving charge over rollover crash in Florida Edouard, now a depression, still poses flood threat over Texas; Dolly’s remnants head toward Florida Edouard, now a depression, still poses flood threat over Texas; Dolly's remnants head toward Florida Tiger Woods enters plea agreement to reckless driving charge over rollover crash in Florida Tiger Woods enters plea agreement to reckless driving charge over rollover crash in Florida Miss Manners: I set a trap and proved my co-worker is faking an allergy Miss Manners: I set a trap and proved my co-worker is faking an allergy High Holy Days 2026: Where to find free and low-cost South Florida services High Holy Days 2026: Where to find free and low-cost South Florida services Asking Eric: Their wedding decision was inexplicable — and painful for us Asking Eric: Their wedding decision was inexplicable — and painful for us Lauderhill vice mayor arrested on domestic violence charge Lauderhill vice mayor arrested on domestic violence charge
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.sun-sentinel.com