Robbie, Dolphin Franchise Builder, Dies at 73

MIAMI — Miami Dolphin owner Joe Robbie, who two years ago moved the NFL team to his own privately financed stadium, died Sunday at age 73, Coach Don Shula said.

Robbie, who had reportedly been ill in recent months, died at an undisclosed Miami-area hospital.

“I was aware he was seriously ill, but I only found out about this a half hour ago, and it’s still a shock,” Shula said.

There was no immediate information on the cause or exact time of his death.

Robbie is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and 11 children, three of which work for the Dolphins. Late last year, he announced the establishment of a living trust for the franchise that he said ensured family ownership for at least the next generation.

Robbie was a successful trial lawyer when he got involved in the sport in August 1965 at age 49 with a franchise in the American Football League.

In 1970, Robbie hired Shula as coach. In his first season, Shula improved the Dolphin record from 3-10-1 in 1969 to 10-4. Two years later, the team compiled a 17-0 record--still the best in league history--to give Miami its first NFL championship.

The Dolphins repeated as NFL champion in 1973 and have won five AFC titles and have pro football’s best record since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.

In 1987, the Dolphins moved their home games from the half-century-old Orange Bowl to $115 million Joe Robbie Stadium. Super Bowl XXIII was played there last Jan. 22.

Robbie put up all his possessions--including the Dolphins franchise--as collateral to assure completion of construction.

Robbie was born July 7, 1916, in Sisseton, S.D. He attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen and the University of South Dakota Law School.

Robbie, a Democrat, served in the South Dakota Legislature. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in South Dakota and for a U.S. House seat in Minnesota.