MIAMI GARDENS - Sun Life Stadium (75,540)

[broncoempire]

That video articulates most of what I was talking about, except if you're further toward the corner, you could not even see the near side goal. Part of the problem stems from the fact that the overhang of the upper level to cover the club seats below is too large, which creates a poor sightline and obstructs views of all parts of the field. Another issue is the field is extra wide to accommodate both baseball and football, and does a poor job of doing so for both.

The seats are all still the originals installed for the opening in 1987 and are now chipped, badly faded, and in need of replacement. The concrete structure of the bowl is cracking, and could use a tremendous pressure washing as it looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years. The concourses don't look much better. The club level isn't bad but by modern standards the suites are tiny not all are in desirable locations.

I've been to Joe Robbie/Pro Player/Dolphin/LandShark/Sun Life dozens of times over the years and this is the first time I've ever truly looked at it as something which maybe needed replacement. The Dolphins, however, have proven themselves to be a cheap organization, both on and off the field. They're content to be a middle of the pack team playing crud football and boring the hell out of their fans for the better part of the last 15 years and it surprises me not a bit that they would adopt a similar attitude to the fan experience as well. The stadium renovations to the club level in the last five years supposedly cost in the neighborhood of $300 million, and I just wonder whether some of that money couldn't have been better spent elsewhere, whether it be on the rest of the facility, or a newer, more "modern" facility. There comes a point in every endeavor where it no longer makes sense to throw good money after bad- this may be such an example.

(Just don't expect the people of South Florida to have to pay for it though.)

[Topher51]

Originally Posted by broncoempire

That video articulates most of what I was talking about, except if you're further toward the corner, you could not even see the near side goal. Part of the problem stems from the fact that the overhang of the upper level to cover the club seats below is too large, which creates a poor sightline and obstructs views of all parts of the field. Another issue is the field is extra wide to accommodate both baseball and football, and does a poor job of doing so for both.

The seats are all still the originals installed for the opening in 1987 and are now chipped, badly faded, and in need of replacement. The concrete structure of the bowl is cracking, and could use a tremendous pressure washing as it looks like it hasn't been cleaned in years. The concourses don't look much better. The club level isn't bad but by modern standards the suites are tiny not all are in desirable locations.

I've been to Joe Robbie/Pro Player/Dolphin/LandShark/Sun Life dozens of times over the years and this is the first time I've ever truly looked at it as something which maybe needed replacement. The Dolphins, however, have proven themselves to be a cheap organization, both on and off the field. They're content to be a middle of the pack team playing crud football and boring the hell out of their fans for the better part of the last 15 years and it surprises me not a bit that they would adopt a similar attitude to the fan experience as well. The stadium renovations to the club level in the last five years supposedly cost in the neighborhood of $300 million, and I just wonder whether some of that money couldn't have been better spent elsewhere, whether it be on the rest of the facility, or a newer, more "modern" facility. There comes a point in every endeavor where it no longer makes sense to throw good money after bad- this may be such an example.

(Just don't expect the people of South Florida to have to pay for it though.)

Joe Robbie was one of the first of "new generation stadiums" built, so I am not surprised the sightlines in the upper deck are bad. Unfortunately, no one is going to build a new stadium just for that. Myself included in this group, the upper deck patrons just don't generate enough revenue to justify that.

I don't believe the stadium was originally built to accommodate baseball. As soon as the Marlins are gone, they can fix the field width problem. I am pretty sure that was part of the renovation proposal anyway.

All concrete cracks. That can't be helped. They can seal the cracks and clean the concrete at a relatively minimal expense.

The Georgia Dome looks 100x better after the renovation. I am sure Joe Robbie will as well.

[Marckymarc]

Originally Posted by Topher51

I don't believe the stadium was originally built to accommodate baseball. As soon as the Marlins are gone, they can fix the field width problem. I am pretty sure that was part of the renovation proposal anyway.

Actually the stadium was originally built to accommodate baseball--that's why the stands are wider than ideal for football viewing.

Baseball exhibition games were played at Joe Robbie (in hopes of gaining support for an expansion or relocation team) in its first year of operation.

[broncoempire]

Originally Posted by Topher51

Joe Robbie was one of the first of "new generation stadiums" built, so I am not surprised the sightlines in the upper deck are bad. Unfortunately, no one is going to build a new stadium just for that. Myself included in this group, the upper deck patrons just don't generate enough revenue to justify that.

I don't believe the stadium was originally built to accommodate baseball. As soon as the Marlins are gone, they can fix the field width problem. I am pretty sure that was part of the renovation proposal anyway.

All concrete cracks. That can't be helped. They can seal the cracks and clean the concrete at a relatively minimal expense.

The Georgia Dome looks 100x better after the renovation. I am sure Joe Robbie will as well.

Joe Robbie built the stadium with a field that was wider than normal so with minimal modifications, it would be easy to accommodate a baseball team as well. As a result, the first row from the field is something in the neighborhood of 90 feet away. It's not as bad as say the Coliseum in Oakland or Qualcomm in San Diego, but by modern standards its inadequate. The renovation proposal is akin to what was done in the Superdome, but even that idea won't remedy all the flaws. No one is expecting the sightlines in the cheap seats to be as great as they are in club seats or lower level, but shouldn't there be the expectation that you can see over the heads of everyone else and see all of the field without obstructions?

General maintenance for things like the concrete and the seating would do wonders except they don't even want to go that far. They've grown accustomed to mediocrity and their attitudes towards some of these things reflects that.

[mrakbaseball]

Bringing joy to the lives of the less fortunate. A good deed, even if it was just for a few hours.

[nyrmetros]

I was just at the USA soccer game in Miami, and the stadium had fantastic sightlines for FIFA soccer. Shame the rain ruined the party. oh well.

[Lumbergo]

talk about obstructed views

[koolio]

What sporting event is going on in those pictures?

[JJG]

Originally Posted by koolio

What sporting event is going on in those pictures?

Wrestlemania.

Correct term would be Sports Entertainment.

[Boriska]

Oh my god.

When I was young, I saw Wrestlemania at Chicago I liked wrestling

[Jericho-79]

Why is this thread in the "Proposed" section?

[Darloeye]

Look back a few pages. Plans to redesign the stadium to host more soccer games and to cover the stands with a R_ _ _.

[BoulderGrad]

Originally Posted by Darloeye

Look back a few pages. Plans to redesign the stadium to host more soccer games and to cover the stands with a R_ _ _.

ixnay on the oof-Rays....

[Lumbergo]

a R_ _ _ would cost a fortune. and they won't be able to bring the stands closer by much without completely redesigning the end zones to allow for unobstructed views [like players heads]. they'd be better off just building a brand new stadium next door or somewhere else (I mean it is nearing it's 30 year anniversary....). not saying they need to it's a nice stadium BUT it may not be worth the money for what they are proposing.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by Lumbergo

a R_ _ _ would cost a fortune. and they won't be able to bring the stands closer by much without completely redesigning the end zones to allow for unobstructed views [like players heads]. they'd be better off just building a brand new stadium next door or somewhere else (I mean it is nearing it's 30 year anniversary....). not saying they need to it's a nice stadium BUT it may not be worth the money for what they are proposing.

Well, that's what's on the table...

[WesTexas]

I like it. I hope they do it.

[krnboy1009]

When is it supposed to begin? the renovation. No SB un til the renovation me thinks.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by krnboy1009

When is it supposed to begin? the renovation. No SB un til the renovation me thinks.

Yeah, Miami wont get another Super Bowl til something like this happens. But no one knows when they'll start... or even if THIS is the final design.

[RaiderATO]

The lower bowl re-config is definitely happening, right?

[BoulderGrad]

Originally Posted by RaiderATO

The lower bowl re-config is definitely happening, right?

Not necessarily. Need to find the money to do such things, which they dont currently have:

http://www.fieldofschemes.com/news/a...ns_we_bui.html

Just proposed changes at this point.