The Garbage Man In Winter

H. Wayne Huizenga is the only individual to successfully build three fortune 1,000 companies. Even more impressive is the fact that he built them from scratch. Blockbuster Entertainment, AutoNation and his first baby, Waste Management Inc. all came from nonexistence. Waste Management started in 1968 with a single truck.

When Joe Robbie died his family lacked the will or the funds to continue the franchise. So in stepped H. Wayne and his track record. He had been inching his way to full ownership, having maintained 50% of the stock for a couple of years. The Dolphins faithful were excited at the prospect of having a mega-wealthy owner with a history of success. Boy, weren’t we in for a treat.

Last year’s team was the worst fielded in the history of this once proud team. The Dolphins had possessed the best overall record since the AFL – NFL merger. This year they were caught by the Steelers and will probably be passed sometime this season. It was believed by many to be something that would never happen. The Dolphins would have to be very bad for very long. They would practically have to lose all their games. Well, we’ve arrived. We're there, in the dumpster.

The fact is that Huizenga has allowed his politics and greed to overcome this great team. His extreme Christianity has made for several dubious personnel decisions (John Beck, Cam Cameron, Abraham Wright) and his slash and burn desire for profits have left a team that emphasizes a front office of numbers men. The recent addition of Parcells being the first good decision H. Wayne has made. There is a reason for this sudden change. The reason is money.

The Dolphins raised ticket prices last year. It cost more than ever to go watch a team that was worse than ever before. Wayne cried all the way to the bank.

Talk to a Marlins fan. I moved away from Florida around the time when the Marlins came into existence. They won in record-quick fashion, beating the Indians in seven to take the 1997 World Series. The next year? They went 54-108, good for the worst record in the league. H. Wayne had made a good product and sold it off. Players were traded to reduce costs and then the team itself was sold. They lost money when they were winning and they make it droves when they’re losing. Why? They don’t have to pay for any good players when they’re losing.

So it is with the Dolphins. Last year the Dolphins left millions of dollars of cap money on the table. It was a savvy move, considering how loyal Dolphins fans are. You can field a shit team so long as the people still buy tickets. This year they’re in possession of a league high 44 million in cap space. I wonder who they won’t spend it on. Kidding aside, I believe the team’s fate will change and they will spend it. Here’s why.

Stephen Ross of The Related Group has purchased half of the team from Wayne. The number being bandied about is $550 million. Wayne bought the team from the Robbie family for $138 million. H. Wayne will maintain the controlling share, for now. My guess is that over the next three years the Phins will make big moves and finally get on track. They will do this because Huizenga is about to sell them. What the new owner will do is right around the corner.

Huizenga is a businessman and more than that he is a capitalist in the old sense of the word. He buys to sell. He saves to save, not spend, just like his Dutch ancestors did. For this reason his radical conservatism and incredible wealth made purchasing a sports team inevitable. What does this have to do with his politics? It’s simple. Sports franchises are the best way to not only defer paying taxes but to gain access to public funds. Contrary to their claims, conservatives with money adore big government. It pays them a lot of money. Public coffers subsidize almost every stadium and pay for the broadcasting regulations. In England, if you want to start a new team you must pay for everything yourself. In America, you will get help from public funds. Which country sounds socialistic?

So, Stephen Ross, welcome to the dog and pony show. You’re big time now, but make sure you keep an eye on the garbage man. He’s a crafty one and know too that a trash collector in his final days is more dangerous than in his first. We fans won’t mind it all when you start winning again. Parcells is here and a playoff birth or two will probably be enough cred with us to allow you to serve up the shit for another decade. By then you’ll have made millions and more important than that you will have saved millions by fielding a depressing team. It would really be nice for us fans and consumers of all things Dolphin if you too would be a fan and take pride in the team. Look to Dan Snyder’s Redskins. He spends a lot and makes a lot. Mr. Ross, please don't be like Wayne Huizenga. Don't exploit the good nature of your fans for easy cash. We're tired of being sold garbage.