The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

JTex was over last night, talking about something LeBatard said.  I didn't hear it, and I'm paraphrasing, so this might be like a game of telephone, but the jist of it was: We can handle hating the Dolphins and their choices, if we at least care about them.  But people are starting not to care.

I agree.  I don't even watch the games with rage anymore.  It's comedy.  It's a joke.  I watch because it's become something to do with a friend of mine: have a drink and make fun of ourselves.  But it's to the point where I think people don't even care anymore.  That's bad, in this city.

I want to make a bold statement: The Dolphins are the 4th - ranked Sports Franchise in South Florida.

1. Miami Heat (obviously)
2. Florida Marlins (big splashes with Ozzie Guillen, new stadium and new logo)
3. Florida Panthers (heavy advertising campaigns, big free-agent signings)
4. Miami Dolphins

In my opinion, since the Dwayne Wade era in South Florida, it's been a basketball-first metro area and a everything else metro area second - so a good 6 seasons since the Heat's foray into the Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Pistons in Shaq's first Heat season.

Now with LBJ and Bosh, that's not going to change until they retire and disband - even with a lockout looming.

The Dolphins have a lot of ground to cover if they want back into this market, and they have a lot to learn for Mickey Arison and Pat Riley on how to run, market, and organize a professional sports franchise in this area.

What is your ranking system? Popularity, success, inspiring moves (player acquisitions, new stadium), what? I can't disagree because I'm not down there. I just wonder how you ranked them.

Thanks, Phish...I was about to try pinning that one down as well, because I can't see anything that would make me rank the Panthers over the Dolphins. Until I see that the flashy new logo and ballpark actually puts butts in the seats, I'm not sure the Marlins belong up there either.

I was wondering how could you rank the Marlins above the Dolphins when absolutely no one goes to their games. I don't know about the Panthers because I don't care about hockey but I kind of doubt they'd be higher as well.

While jtex's ranking's are off, the sentiment of people not caring is true.  I still see a lot of Dolphin stuff in Orlando but no one is excited about spending money to see them. In fact I know  people who have quit following them and couldn't name 5 people on the team that used to be sideline ticket holders. They are paying more attention to the Bucs these days. 

you hit the nail right on the head.


As far as in the city is concerned.  I don't live there, so I'm sorry if this is an inaccurate comment.  However it SEEMS as though Dolphins fans are a dying breed in your area.  What I mean by that is that it's such an attractive place to live that it's not all Dolphins fans living there.  You have the Smiths moving from Vermont to get away from the snow, but they bring their New England roots with them.  Or you have the Johnsons retiring from NYC, bringing their Giants fan base to South Beach.  So therefore you're slowly being outnumbered, and you have been for quite sometime, that it's finally caught up.  With all that being said, it's horrible timing for Miami to constantly be sub-par.


Idk..probably doesn't make sense, just a theory I have I guess

After a while, people just go into "see it to believe it" mode.  This happens in almost any area of life where expectation is not met repeatedly.  It is mentally exhausting watching your team lose and lose and lose.

I believe everyone will return to the seats when the team shows they can win and be relied on to win with some consistency.  Until then, a few gimmick players here and there may raise an eyebrow or two.  More importantly, no players or staff should expect any noticeable raise in support until they show something repeatable.  Again, it has just been toooooooo long.  It has been so long that I don't even consider the fans that have dropped off as fairweather, they just have better things to do with their time.

I think part of that is because it is a huge pain to attend games in Miami if you are from Orlando. The current economy just doesn't account for it. We sat down and were giving a rough calculation on the amount of money it costs and it isn't in many of my friend's budgets (except for swinging a single game). I don't know anyone who has quit following them though. I don't see how they are even following the Bucs, they're never on TV because no one is going to their games either (remember that season ticket waiting list they had about five years ago).

I'm curious as to the ranking system as well.  Forbes lists The Phins revenue last year at $247 million, with gate receipts totaling $62 million (including box seats).  The Heat brought in $124 million ($41 million from gate receipts); the Marlins brought in $144 million (Gate Receipts- $26 million), and the Panthers $76 million in revenue ($24 million in gate receipts). How does this make the Dolphins the 4th ranked team in Miami pro sports? Somebody is buying tickets and increasing Dolphin revenue. As usual, I don't follow your logic here. -EK

JTex is way off.

Nobody gives a shit about the Marlins.
Most people don't even know that there is a Panthers.

The Dolphins are still #2, but that gap between the HEAT is getting more distant.

Because the Heat have Lebron, Wade & Bosh, and are perceived as a title contender going forward...while the Dolphins are considered a weak team with management that is seemingly too inept to turn things around.

Hope vs Apathy is a pretty one-sided fight...

After so many years of frustration, many of us fans have grown weary of the same old crap.

We once again find the team in dissaray and in need of a major overhaul...starting with the GM and Coach.

Hard to get excited about a team that has had such terrible starts to the season and also for a team that simply lacks any big play ability.  Our offence is once again at or near the bottom of the NFL and our defence has regressed to the level of the Marino era.

In Miami, moreso than in most places, you have to be a winner for people to care.  The guy that CF mentioned, who couldn't name 5 people on the team?  He's not a real fan.  He can suck it (no offense), we don't need shitty fans like that.

The Heat are popular NOW because they are good.  If the Dolphins are ever contenders again, that guy in CF's post will be lined up to buy season tickets again.  Its just how it is.  If you're not winning games, no one will care about you.  You become irrelevant quickly.  Conversely, if the Heat lose LBJ/Bosh/Wade and become a 0.500 team again, you'll see how quickly the bandwagon empties out.

The Marlins are generating their own buzz right now.  I will reserve judgment until I see asses in seats on a 12:40 pm Wednesday afternoon game next season.  I suspect it will be the same 350 people that were there this year.

The Panthers, believe it or not, are making a sever push to become relevant.  The signing of Dale Tallon has brought them into a place where they could become a part of the conversation again.  However, lack of big-name stars will prevent them from entering the mainstream arena since only a small fragment of south Floridians even like hockey.  However, I'd contend that the Panthers' fan base is among the most loyal in Florida.

I agree "we" don't need him, meaning you and I, but the team certainly does.  I think we can agree that most of the fans are fair weathered and then most of the remaining don't spend anything to support "their" team.  It's the fair weathered fans that make a difference in filling those seats and paying the bills.

CF, I disagree.  I'd rather fill the stadium with fans that support the team thick and thin, and let people like that guy take a hike and watch on TV when its convenient.

Problem is - I don't think enough of those people exist.

^^^ There are plenty of them Brian. The problem is, they probably are not in a position to help fill the stadium.

I bet Ross would rather have thick and thin fans too but when that isn't happening, which is always, he doesn't care how loyal they are or even if they are rooting for the Dolphins. He needs to fill the stadium and sell product.

I agree 100%.

There was a time that a Miami loss would ruin my week.  I would stew about it until their next game.

This past week, true story:  A friend of mine is over, I have the Pats game on.  I have cable so the Miami game wasn't an option.  He sees Miami up, 16-10, with :44 seconds left and says "hey, Miami is going to the W!"  I looked at my wife and smiled.  "What do you think, babe?"  She asked how much time was left, I told her "under a minute but over thirty seconds."  She laughed and said "the final score will be the Browns winning, 17-16."

Ed didn't even have a chance to say "no way" when the score came across the ticker:  17-16, Final.  I laughed - and it was a sincere laugh.  It was comical.  I knew they would blow it. 

The worst part of all this is had they WON it wouldn't have mattered much.

I used to have a passion as a sports fan.  Some of that has dimmed as I have gotten older, a sporting team losing doesn't impact my life.  I didn't play the damn game, I just watched it.  I want to see my team win.  I don't like to see them lose.  I no longer take it to heart, however, but I still care.

With Miami?  I don't give a shit any more.  I don't even know who they are playing this week.  Not a clue.  Out of loyalty I will listen to the game on my phone, pay attention to the score, hope for the best...but that's it.

Is it a problem that I'm 25 years old and fell exactly the same way?

And it shouldn't. I mean sure it sucks for a bit but in the scheme of life is a game really that important? Why should the Dolphins result on Sunday affect a person all week? I mean sure, if I am talking football I am going to show how disappointed I am about the loss. But it isn't and shouldn't stop me from enjoying other things. It isn't healthy if it does.

Im the same way now-a-days,  Im a huge Miami sports fan, [Marlins, Canes, Heat, Dolphins] . Ive wated the Fins ever since I moved to the US in 1980's. Watchin the old fins tape of the 60-70's to the Marino era to now. Sure there were good times and bad times along the way but the old fins dating up to 99 were competitive in every way.  Since the 2000 era, the Fins contiue to piss me off to the point that i just watch the out of hope that they become somethin again.  Spoiled Dolphin Fan, Hell yes we are.  We feel just as BAD as the San Fran franchise.   Lately I watch the Fins knowing they gonna suck year to year.  The NFL draft does not excite me no more cause the Fins are going to pass on good pick to get wasted BUST.  Its comedy ! YOu right, I dont care as of now. Im sick n tired of seeing what the Fins has become,  JOE ROBBIE must be pissed off in his grave to see what the franchise has become. 

For me it's the angry mob mentality,the American Idol type satisfaction,with a dose of whining about the past,the grass is always greener fans that have drained my passion bucket more than anything...

It's hard to speak of Miami since I don't live there, but from reading this thread, it seems that the whole city is "fair weather" and whichever team is winning at the time is the favorite.   Right now it's the Heat.  I heard ZERO about the Heat from my Dolfan friends when they weren't good.  I wasn't even aware they were basketball fans.  Truth is, they probably weren't until the Heat starting winning.  It was the same thing with the Panthers and the Marlins in their short stints on top.

This has been a strange season for me. 

I was born in Florida and have been a fan since 1970.  Normally, I go into every season with belief that the Dolphins can compete for it all.  A Dolphins loss would have ruined the week for me.    Over the past few years, that has changed.  Now I just hope the team isn't an embarrassment.  This year, I find that I'm not even bothered by losing.  I have become apathetic.....something I never thought would happen.  I want to love this team, but they have no identity.  Nothing to root for. 

I get the Sunday ticket, and I still watch the Dolphins even when there are better games on.  I don't see that ever changing.  The Dolphins are my team, but I guess I'm unable to invest so much emotion into a franchise that has been a disappointment for most of a decade, and seems unable to make moves to turn it around.   I'm sure some of you will call me a fair-weather fan, but I don't think that's the case.  I want to care, but the emotion just isn't there.

Honestly, I don't know what the answer is, but I don't see anything in the personnel running this franchise that makes me believe that we are moving in the right direction.  This should scare Mr. Ross.  If dedicated fans like me become apathetic, this franchise is in big trouble. 

one good thing is Miami is going to be so bad this year that having "PRIMETIME" games next year won' t be an issue. NBC and ESPN won't want us. So the home starts might be at 4pm but their won't be any night games for sure.

Unless we get Luck and Cowher then of course we become a "dream" for TV executives in primetime.

I honestly don't even know how I feel when Miami scores a TD. Am I happy because my team scored? Or am I angry because this may help us win and not get us the top overall pick?

I just wish the season was over already and it's just Week 4. I am so jealous of Cam Newton and the Panthers. I am so jealous of ANYONE with a good QB or competent management.

The Yankees are in the playoffs(for 2 more games), the Knicks have hope if the season isn't cancelled and the Rangers look like they may contend. I pretty much already zoned out of the NFL already.

NFL TODAY on CBS reported this morning that ANY NFL team that agrees to play 3 consecutive weeks overseas next year and gives up 3 home games will get an extra $1mill per game ($3 mill total) on top of any other profits they would make playing overseas.

With the FINS not selling tickets anymore, I could see Ross totally doing that and giving up 3 home games next year.

The London Dolphins!

Just an extra Million per game? That is laughable with the profits the NFL makes and the potential that losing 3 home games can ruin a team's season.

I would think it shouldn't even be considered until they say an extra $10 Million per game.

For a team that isn't selling out games. For a team that is being blacked out. For a team playing in front of a stadium 40% filled....that extra million ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE....why not do it? What's the downside?

The "home" team gets a cut of the gate too. Those overseas soccer stadiums are friggin huge. It would be a cash cow move for a team that isn't selling tickets in the states. (ie The Dolphins)

I was thinking more about good teams as opposed to the crappy Dolphins. $1 Million for a team like the Pats or Packers is laughable.

they wouldn't do it cause they sell out their games  ::)

the ONLY way a team would move 3 games is if a team isn't selling out games. So teams like Jax, Miami, Minny, SD would be the candidates to do such a thing