Dolphins shake their fins as Estefans take stake

By Simon Evans
MIAMI (Reuters) - Pop singer Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio have become minority partners in the ownership of the NFL`s Miami Dolphins, the club said on Thursday.
Cuban-born Estefan and record producer Emilio held a news conference with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross but declined to discuss how much of a stake they had bought in the team.
"It is a private company and we will keep those things private but Emilio is a partner and Gloria is a partner," said Ross.
Estefan is best known internationally for her eighties hits such as "Rhythm is Gonna Get You" and "Dr. Beat" and together with her husband she owns several businesses in Florida.
"We are thrilled to be a part of our hometown team," said Gloria Estefan, adding that she had been a "hardcore" fan since the Dolphins` unbeaten season in 1972.
The link-up is an attempt to boost the profile of the Dolphins within South Florida`s huge Latin-American community which is strongly influenced by immigrants from Cuba.
"There is no community in America that has the diversity of South Florida and we want the team to be a part of South Florida and the best way to do that is to have an ownership which reflects that diversity," Ross said.
"There is no-one better that reflects the Latin community than Gloria and Emilio Estefan," he added.
The deal is the second Dolphins` link-up with an entertainment figure since Ross become owner of the franchise in January.
Singer/songwriter and businessman Jimmy Buffett, owner of Margaritaville Enterprises, signed a deal in May which includes the team`s stadium being renamed after his LandShark Lager beer for the 2009 season.
"It is all about creating a great game-day experience," said Ross. "We are seeing a convergence of sport and entertainment because sport is entertainment."
(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Ed Osmond. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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