THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MIAMI - New Miami Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross won't mess with success: He says Bill Parcells will remain in charge of the football operation.
Ross, a New York real estate billionaire, completed his purchase of 95 percent of the franchise for $1 billion Tuesday, with Wayne Huizenga retaining a 5 percent interest.
Ross then addressed the subject of Parcells' status. The sale triggered a clause in Parcells' contract allowing him to leave and still receive the $9-12 million remaining on the four-year contract he signed a year ago.
"Parcells is in charge," Ross said in a conference call. "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."
Thanks to Parcells, Ross takes over with the franchise's fortunes on the upswing. When the first phase of his purchase was completed last February, the Dolphins were coming off a 1-15 season, worst in team history. Under the new Parcells regime, they improved to 11-6 this season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
Ross said he's 100 percent certain Parcells will stay for another season.
"I feel very, very comfortable with him, and I think he feels comfortable with me," Ross said. "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."
In February 2008, Ross bought 50 percent of the franchise, Dolphin Stadium and surrounding land from Huizenga for $550 million, with an agreement to later become managing general partner.
Ross closed on the purchase of an additional 45 percent Tuesday. That part of the agreement received pre-approval from the NFL in October.
Huizenga, 71, became sole owner of the Dolphins in 1994. A year ago he said it was time for someone else to assume control.
General manager Jeff Ireland, scouting players preparing Tuesday for the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., said the sale won't affect the way he, Parcells and coach Tony Sparano go about things.
"It doesn't really change what I do, it doesn't change what Tony does, it doesn't change what Bill does," Ireland said. "We've got to win games."
Ross plans to meet Friday with Parcells, Ireland and Sparano, and said he foresees no changes on the football side. He said he found the atmosphere at the Dolphins' recent playoff game electrifying and wants to build on this season's success.
"That is the most important thing, and the thing that drives me - creating and being part of a winning organization," Ross said. "There is nothing more important than that."
