Stephen Ross

Stephen Michael Ross was born in Detroit, United States. He moved to Miami with his parents at fourteen and attended Miami Beach Senior High School, where he played football.⁠[1]

After two years at the University of Florida, he transferred to the University of Michigan and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting in 1962.⁠[1][2]

He graduated from Wayne State University Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. Alumni Wall of Fame materials identify him as a member of the class of 1965.⁠[3][4]

He earned an LLM in taxation from NYU School of Law. Reflecting on that education, he said tax-law training helped him understand transaction structures and provided a foundation for entering business.⁠[5]

His early career included work as a tax attorney at Coopers & Lybrand in Detroit. He subsequently moved into finance and real estate in New York, applying his legal and tax knowledge to property projects.⁠[6][5]

He founded Related, initially focusing on financing and developing affordable housing. In an interview, Ross recalled borrowing $10,000 from his mother to start the business after losing his job.⁠[7][8]

Related expanded beyond affordable housing into market-rate residential, office, commercial and mixed-use projects, building a development business across property types.⁠[7]

Time Warner Center, a major Related project, opened in New York with office, hotel and retail uses. It exemplified the company’s expansion from housing into large urban mixed-use developments.⁠[7][9]

He gave $100 million to the University of Michigan’s business school to support its endowment and facilities. The university subsequently named the school for Stephen M. Ross.⁠[2]

He acquired a 50 percent interest in the Miami Dolphins, their stadium and surrounding land from Wayne Huizenga for $550 million.⁠[10]

He acquired a further 45 percent interest for $450 million, increasing his stake to 95 percent and becoming the team’s controlling owner.⁠[10]

The University of Michigan awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.⁠[4]

He co-founded private investment firm RSE Ventures with Matt Higgins, focusing on sports, entertainment, media, food and technology. Its portfolio has included Resy, Momofuku and Drone Racing League.⁠[4]

He joined the Giving Pledge, committing at least half his wealth to philanthropy. This was a public commitment concerning future giving.⁠[11]

The University of Michigan announced his $200 million commitment, divided equally between its business school and athletics department to support learning environments, student development and athletic facilities.⁠[6]

The World Resources Institute announced his $30.5 million gift to establish the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. The centre integrates urban planning, transport, energy, water and governance in addressing urban-development challenges.⁠[12]

He established the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, known as RISE, to promote anti-discrimination education and racial equality through sport. NYU’s 2020 interview reported that he had provided $30 million to the organisation.⁠[5]

NYU School of Law announced his $20 million unrestricted gift, structured largely as a bequest. The announcement did not mean that the entire amount had already been paid.⁠[13]

He drove a multi-year modernisation of the Dolphins’ home stadium, improving facilities and the spectator environment. The venue and surrounding site subsequently hosted sports and entertainment beyond football.⁠[11]

He gave a further $50 million to Michigan’s business school for initiatives including student career development and faculty support.⁠[14]

Hudson Yards in New York, developed by Related and Oxford Properties, opened to the public with retail space, a public square and Vessel. Built on a platform over rail yards, it became a major example of Related’s large mixed-use developments.⁠[15]

His August 9 fundraiser for Trump prompted calls to boycott Equinox and SoulCycle. The brands said they did not participate in or support the event and subsequently announced charitable initiatives. Ross said he disagreed with Trump on many issues.⁠[16][17]

He announced a $100 million gift to the Detroit Center for Innovation to support a research, education and technology-training initiative involving the University of Michigan.⁠[18]

WRI announced a further $63.5 million commitment, bringing his cumulative support for its related urban initiatives to $100 million, addressing post-pandemic resilience, sustainability and mobility innovation.⁠[19]

The Dolphins opened the $135 million Baptist Health Training Complex, moving team training operations to Miami Gardens, where the stadium is located.⁠[11]

The NFL fined Ross $1.5 million and suspended him through October 17 over impermissible contacts involving Tom Brady and Sean Payton. The Dolphins lost their 2023 first-round and 2024 third-round draft picks. The inquiry examined former coach Brian Flores’s allegations but found no intentional losses in 2019. Ross disputed the penalty but accepted the outcome; these were findings from a league disciplinary process.⁠[20]

He established Related Ross as its chairman and CEO, focusing on development in West Palm Beach and surrounding parts of Florida. He also remained founder and non-executive chairman of Related Companies.⁠[21]

The NFL approved Ares acquiring a 10 percent interest in the Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium and Miami Formula 1 business, with Joe Tsai and Oliver Weisberg acquiring 3 percent. The announcement expected closing in the following days.⁠[22]

Related Ross secured $772 million in construction financing led by Ares for 10 CityPlace and 15 CityPlace, advancing office development in West Palm Beach.⁠[21]

The NFL approved Bin Lin’s purchase of a 1 percent non-controlling interest at a $12.5 billion portfolio valuation. The assets included the Dolphins, stadium, Miami Grand Prix and Miami Open; the announcement still described closing as expected in the following days.⁠[23]

He appeared in the channel’s Miami interview compilation, in a chapter beginning at 10:42. Ross discussed executing ideas, taking risks, building a capable team and giving back, linking continued work to a sense of accomplishment.⁠[24]

The Dolphins introduced Ross Sports & Entertainment and announced Daniel Sillman as its CEO. The organisation encompasses the team, stadium and event businesses, with Ross as founder and executive chairman. It is distinct from the investment firm RSE Ventures, established in 2012.⁠[25][11][4]

In interviews, he has emphasised creating urban environments that attract businesses and talent, and selecting independently minded colleagues whom leaders can trust and hold accountable. These are his publicly stated management principles.⁠[8]

Related Companies: Official website: https://www.related.com/ (opens in a new window), the property group he founded. Related Ross: Official website: https://www.relatedross.com/ (opens in a new window), the Florida developer he leads. Miami Dolphins: Official website: https://www.miamidolphins.com/ (opens in a new window), the team he owns and chairs. RSE Ventures: Official website: https://rseventures.com/ (opens in a new window), the investment firm he co-founded.⁠[26][21][11][4]