Dolphins sold, ‘tuna’ to stay

New York real estate billionaire Stephen Ross completed his purchase of 95% of the Miami Dolphins earlier this week, with former majority owner Wayne Huizinga retaining a 5% stake in the team.  The first matter of business after the deal was finalized concerned the status of Executive VP of Football operations, Bill Parcells.  The sale triggered a clause inserted by the wily “Tuna” when hired last year that would allow him to leave the team and still receive the remaining $9-12 million remaining on his contract.   Employing the wise philosophy of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, Ross emphasized that Parcells was still in charge of the football operations.

Ross made it clear that Parcells still called the shots on football related matters:

"Parcells is in charge. He's staying, and I think we're very fortunate to have someone like Bill Parcells, who I think people have come to recognize as probably the best football mind in America."

The inimitable Parcells had a typically smart assed comeback for reporters who asked about his plans while scouting players at the Senior Bowl College all star game in Mobile, AL:

"What does it look like I'm doing? What do your eyes tell you?"

Parcells then explained that he liked Ross and that he wasn’t really interested in using the change in ownership to negotiate a new deal with the team:

"It's not about money. I've got more than I can spend."

Ross concurred that he’s developing a good relationship with the sometimes strong willed “Tuna”:

"I feel very, very comfortable with him, and I think he feels comfortable with me. I think we've developed a good rapport. ... Bill Parcells thinks like a businessman: You don't solve all your problems with money; you solve them with brains."

Ross is planning to meet with Parcells, head coach Tony Sparano and GM Jeff Ireland on Friday but plans no changes in the team’s football operations:

"That is the most important thing, and the thing that drives me -- creating and being part of a winning organization. There is nothing more important than that."

After a 1-15 season in 2007, the Dolphins completed a phenomenal turnaround this year going 11-5, winning the AFC East and making the playoffs for the first time since 2001.