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Name change on the horizon for Sun Life Stadium

 
 

The Dolphins are expected to begin a search for a new naming rights partner in the very near future.
The Dolphins are expected to begin a search for a new naming rights partner in the very near future.
AL MESSERSCHMIDT / GETTY IMAGES

mnavarro@MiamiHerald.com

The stadium the Dolphins have called home since 1987 will go by a new name again soon.

Sun Life Stadium will be no more within three years — industry sources are saying — because Sun Life Financial, the parent company behind the naming rights to the stadium, announced last week it was pulling up stakes in the United States.

The Canadian company is retreating from two staples of its U.S operation and will no longer sell life insurance and variable-rate annuities in the U.S. The company is expected to turn its sights toward Asia. And that means that in three years when the naming rights agreement between the Dolphins and the financial giant expires, the name Sun Life will come off the stadium.

A Dolphins spokesman was unavailable for comment. The Dolphins are expected to begin a search for a new naming rights partner in the very near future.

This isn’t really a new thing for the stadium where Miami plays. Originally it was called Dolphins Stadium, then it was renamed Joe Robbie Stadium in a 1986 announcement by the Robbie children to honor their father, the Dolphins’ original owner. It’s been called Pro Player Stadium, Pro Player Park, Dolphin Stadium, Land Shark Stadium and finally Sun Life Stadium.

REGGIE AND KELLY?

Dolphins running back Reggie Bush has already made plans on where he’ll be as soon as the season ends — training for his first stint as a morning show co-host.

Bush is scheduled to join actress Kelly Ripa on Live! with Kelly on Jan. 9 and will interview guests Mark Wahlberg, Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott. Bush is scheduled to be the first of five sports-themed co-hosts on the show that week. Carl Edwards Boomer Esiason Jesse Palmer Apolo Anton Ohno

“They asked me if I wanted to do it, and I got an opportunity to do it, and I felt like, ‘Why not?’ ” Bush said Tuesday. “Maybe, post-career I can get into TV. We’ll see. I’ve always been a fan of the Regis and Kelly show. Obviously, he’s retired now. But I’ve always been a fan. I felt like this was a great opportunity to go out and kind of step outside the box.”

MISI GOES ON IR

The Dolphins placed starting strong-side linebacker Koa Misi on injured reserve Tuesday and signed rookie quarterback Pat Devlin off the practice squad to fill the 53-man roster.

Misi, who injured his shoulder late in the game against the Eagles on Dec. 11 and didn’t play against the Bills, started nine games this season and ranks ninth on the team with 31 tackles, one sack and four tackles for loss. The team signed McLeod Bethel-Thompson, a rookie from Sacramento State, to replace Devlin on the practice squad.

Todd Bowles

McLeod Bethel-Thompson

• Left tackle Jake Long, who saw his 61-game streak of consecutive starts come to an end at Buffalo, practiced on a limited basis Tuesday. “We’ll go day-to-day, see how he sleeps and how he comes back the next day,” interim coach Todd Bowles said.

Bowles said tight end Anthony Fasano was held out of practice Tuesday to rest.

• Bowles said he plans to give the game ball he was awarded following his first win as an NFL head coach Sunday to his son once the Dolphins are done “painting it up.”

• Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said there is no truth to the overseas rumors that owner Steven Ross is in the midst of negotiations to buy the Everton soccer team of the English Premiere League.

“The reports are false,” Greene said. “Steve is not pursuing this acquisition and has never even had a single conversation with the club.”

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