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Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes preparing for no home games in 2016 season

By Jason Parker

Oct 17, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A general view of at Sun Life Stadium before a game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Miami Hurricanes. Miami won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A general view of at Sun Life Stadium before a game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Miami Hurricanes. Miami won 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Dolphins and Hurricanes are preparing for the real chance that improvements to New Miami Stadium won’t be ready for the 2016 season. 

For the past two summers, construction crews have worked around the clock to get what is now called New Miami Stadium (formerly called Sun Life, Landshark, Pro Player and about a dozen other names) ready with all the improvements promised by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross.

While the first phase was ready for the 2015 season, the second phase of construction (including roof coverage for most of the stadium and concession are improvements, among other things) is going just a little big slower than anticipated.

By just a little bit slower, it’s to the point where the Dolphins have already moved one preseason game and the team, along with the Miami Hurricanes (who have played there since 2008), are dealing with the real possibility that even more games –if not the entire season — could be played elsewhere.

Miami radio personality Hank Goldberg recently spoke to CBS Sports and didn’t sound positive for either team, according to InsidetheU.com:

"“The official word from the Dolphins’ management is, ‘It’s gonna be tight, but they’re working round the clock to get it ready.”“The University of Miami is very concerned, because their home opener against Florida A&M will be played at FAU, and their Florida State game is scheduled for Oct. 8,” Goldberg added. “There are some who say the stadium may not be ready until November. The University of Miami doesn’t want to lose its home game against Florida State — that’s a big payday for them and they’re already looking into the prospect of having to move that game to Orlando.”"

The Dolphins haven’t confirmed any other game changes (and the Hurricanes haven’t confirmed the report about their opener or any other game), but the stadium’s delays could also result in a legal battle between the two teams, as the Hurricanes may file suit against the Dolphins if they have to move their rivalry game with the Seminoles (their biggest money maker of the year).

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