Miami Dolphins set professional sports record with $12.5 billion valuation in Bin Lin deal

Posted : 31 March 2026

The Miami Dolphins have established a new financial benchmark for professional sports franchises following a strategic investment by tech entrepreneur Bin Lin. Chairman and Owner Stephen M. Ross confirmed on Tuesday that Lin, the co-founder and vice chairman of Xiaomi, has acquired a 1% stake in the organization. The transaction values the Dolphins and their associated properties at $12.5 billion, the highest ever recorded in the industry.

This record-setting valuation encompasses more than just the NFL team. The deal includes a share in the holding company that controls Hard Rock Stadium, the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, and the Miami Open tennis tournament. The NFL officially approved the non-controlling interest sale on March 31, 2026, surpassing the previous record set by a minority stake sale of the New York Giants last year.

Stephen Ross noted that Lin’s background as a brilliant entrepreneur aligns with the organization's vision for innovation. Ross has invested over $1 billion of his own capital into modernizing Hard Rock Stadium since taking over in 2009. The venue has transitioned into a premier global destination, recently hosting the 2026 CFP National Championship and preparing for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Bin Lin brings a wealth of experience from the technology sector to the Dolphins' ownership group. Before launching Xiaomi in 2010, he served as a software engineer for both Microsoft and Google. Lin expressed his excitement about joining the investment group, citing the opportunity to learn from Ross’s expansive sports business model. He joins a growing list of partners that includes Ares Management and Brooklyn Nets owner Joseph Tsai.

The capital from this investment is intended to drive further growth within the South Florida community. The Dolphins' various enterprises already generate billions of dollars in annual economic impact for the region. This latest infusion of funds will support the continued expansion of the team's international profile and stadium infrastructure.

While Ross remains the majority owner with full control of the franchise, these minority sales allow the team to unlock significant equity. The surging value of the Dolphins reflects a broader trend of rapid financial appreciation across the NFL. Experts suggest this $12.5 billion valuation will likely influence the asking prices for future team sales, including the ongoing bidding for the Seattle Seahawks.

Miami Dolphins set professional sports record with $12.5 billion valuation in Bin Lin deal

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