Chairman, CEO and Founder, Related Companies
Chairman and Managing General Partner, Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium
Stephen M. Ross, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder of Related Companies, an international real estate firm, began his ownership interest in the Miami Dolphins in February of 2008 when he became a 50% partner with H. Wayne Huizenga in the team, Sun Life Stadium, and the surrounding developable land. He increased that share to a 95% ownership of the team and the stadium on January 20, 2009 and assumed the responsibility of Managing General Partner of both the Dolphins and the stadium, which culminated one of his long-held dreams; Mr. Ross grew up in South Florida and the Dolphins have been a lifetime passion for him.
Under Mr. Ross’ leadership, the Dolphins have become one of the most fan-friendly teams in the National Football League. They have significantly expanded the Miami Dolphins Foundation’s presence in the South Florida community with a host of new civic and charitable initiatives. The team also has improved the game-day experience for their fans by upgrading all facets of stadium operations and by introducing amenities and events that have made Dolphins home games the place to be during the fall. On the football side, Mr. Ross has lived up to his pledge to provide the coaches, staff and players all of the necessary resources to build a winning team, including a multi-million dollar renovation of the club’s training facility this past off-season.
Mr. Ross, a resident of Palm Beach and New York, formed Related in 1972. Today, the company is considered the most prominent privately owned real estate firm in the United States, with expertise in fund management, development, acquisitions, property management, marketing and sales. Related has real estate assets valued at $15 billion and has developed $22 billion in real estate assets including the landmark Time Warner Center in New York City and CityPlace in West Palm Beach.
Mr. Ross graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and from Wayne State University Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. He later received a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University School of Law. In 2004, the University of Michigan renamed its business school the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and in 2011 the school awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at its commencement.
Mr. Ross is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Equinox Holdings, Inc., serves on the Executive Committee and is a trustee of Lincoln Center and is a trustee of New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Guggenheim Foundation, the Urban Land Institute and the NY Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. He is also a director of the World Resources Institute and the Jackie Robinson Foundation and chairperson emeritus of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the city’s leading real estate trade association.
Over the years, Mr. Ross has received numerous honors for his business, civic, and philanthropic activities. Mr. Ross’ alma mater, Miami Beach High School, named its football field Ross Field, in recognition of his work to spearhead the refurbishment of that facility. Most recently, he was a New York Power Player by the New York Times, the Most Powerful Person in New York Real Estate by the New York Observer, Multi-Family Property Executive of the Year by Commercial Property News, and Housing Person of the Year by the National Housing Conference. He also received The National Building Museum Honor Award, REBNY’s Harry B. Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker Award and the Jack D. Weiler Award from UJA. Crain’s New York named Mr. Ross one of the 100 Most Influential Leaders in Business and he was recognized by NYC & Company with their Leadership in Tourism Award.
