The Miami Dolphins’ stadium appear futuristic this fall, but it’ll sound like a blast from the past when someone says its name.
The stadium formerly known as Sun Life, Pro Player, Land Shark, Dolphin and Joe Robbie now will be called “Hard Rock Stadium,” following the entertainment and hospitality chain’s acquisition of the venue’s naming rights. The Dolphins announced the name Wednesday at a ceremonial unveiling of its refurbished home.
The stadium has undergone $500 million worth of upgrades since the end of last season. It now includes a roof, which covers most of the seats.
Whether the name change will help the Dolphins make the playoffs this season remains to be seen. The facility opened in 1987 as Joe Robbie Stadium. It adopted its first corporate name, Pro Player Park, in 1996. Since dropping “Joe Robbie” 20 years ago, the Dolphins have made the playoffs just six times. They now are on their sixth stadium name since going corporate.
Just saying.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
