Next Level Sports Marketing

Former Boston Red Sox executive Michael Dee has been named as Chief Executive Officer of the Miami Dolphins and Dolphin Stadium, it was announced today by Dolphins owner and managing general partner Stephen M. Ross.

In his new role, Dee will be responsible for the business development and growth of both entities and to position the team and the stadium in the forefront of the sports and entertainment field. He will oversee the marketing and sales effort of the Dolphins and will explore new opportunities for the team to expand its brand on both a local and national level. He also will oversee the new initiatives and capital projects at Dolphin Stadium that will offer the stadium’s patrons a live game-day experience unmatched anywhere in the country and will work to introduce new elements to the stadium’s schedule of events.

Bill Parcells will continue to oversee all football operations, reporting directly to Ross.

Dee joins the Dolphins after 14 years in Major League Baseball, including the last five as Chief Operating Officer of the Boston Red Sox. Dee originally joined the Red Sox on July 15, 2002 and was named COO on March 7, 2004. In his capacity there, he oversaw the club’s day-to-day business operations.

“I’m thrilled to be able to add someone of Mike’s background and expertise to our organization,” said Ross. “His accomplishments with the Red Sox greatly expanded their business footprint and amplified the team’s standing as one of the premier franchises in professional sports. I know that under his leadership the Dolphins and Dolphin Stadium will continue their position as industry leaders and provide unmatched service and value to our fans and partners.”

“I’m excited about this opportunity,” said Dee. “The Dolphins are one of the flagship franchises in the National Football League and Dolphin Stadium is recognized as one of the top sports facilities in the world. It’s an honor for me to join such a well-regarded organization and I’m looking forward to implementing Steve’s vision to optimize the game-day experience for our fans and to provide unprecedented business opportunities to our customers.”

During his tenure in Boston, Dee played an instrumental role in all of the franchise’s business initiatives. In that time, the Red Sox consistently set new records for attendance and revenue growth — including a MLB record 469 consecutive sellouts at Fenway Park dating back to May, 2003. Dee spearheaded the business implementation and integration of Fenway Park improvements such as the Green Monster Seats, the EMC Level, the State Street Pavilion and the Big Concourse expansion. Additionally, he worked on a wide range of innovative business ventures, including leading the club’s real estate activities, bringing concerts to Fenway Park, enhancing the game-day operations of the Red Sox staff and improving the quality of concessions and service through his work with concessionaire ARAMARK. In 2006, Dee negotiated the club’s 10-year radio rights agreement with Entercom Communications – still the largest team radio rights deal in history.

In October of 2008, Dee negotiated an agreement with Lee County, Florida to keep the Red Sox Spring Training operations there for at least the next 30 years. The agreement included the design and construction of a publicly financed, state-of-the-art, single-site Spring Training facility that is slated to open in 2012.

In addition to his role with the Red Sox, Dee served as President of Fenway Sports Group (FSG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of New England Sports Ventures, the parent company of both the Red Sox and NESN.

As President, Dee oversaw FSG’s day-to-day activities, and his vision shaped everything from new business strategies to client service. He was instrumental in negotiating relationships with many of FSG’s most significant partners including Boston College and Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM).

In February 2007, FSG purchased of a 50 percent stake in Roush Racing, NASCAR’s largest racing team, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Dee negotiated this agreement and served on Roush Fenway’s Board of Directors as Co-Managing Director. In 2008, Roush Fenway drivers Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth were major contenders in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, with Edwards finishing second and Biffle third.

In December 2007, Dee negotiated FSG’s role to become the lead investor of a new ownership group that acquired the Salem Avalanche (now Salem Red Sox), a minor league baseball franchise that was part of the Class-A Advanced Carolina League. FSG operated the Salem Red Sox under its umbrella of FSG Properties and Dee served as team President.

In addition, FSG also held exclusive sponsorship rights for the PGA Tour’s Deutsche Bank Championship and for the Professional Bull Riders tour.

Beyond his responsibilities with the Red Sox and FSG, Dee was active in a number of community endeavors. Most notably, during his tenure with the Red Sox, he served on the Board of Directors of the Pan Mass Challenge, a cycling event that is the nation’s largest athletic fundraiser, having raised more than $239 million for the Jimmy Fund since its inception in 1980. He also was an active member of the Red Sox PMC cycling team, “Team 9,” which rode in the event each year.

Prior to his tenure with the Red Sox, Dee spent eight seasons (1995-2002) with the San Diego Padres – the last four as EVP of Business Affairs. In this capacity, he was instrumental in guiding the franchise to new heights in corporate sponsorship, ticket and broadcast revenue, and international expansion while helping the Padres earn an industry-wide reputation for innovative marketing. He was also a key member of the team that built corporate and political support for the approval and construction of Petco Park which ultimately preserved Major League Baseball for San Diego.

Dee continues to serve on the Leadership Council at his alma mater, Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, where he played basketball and earned a degree in government in 1985.

Mike and his wife Karen have two children, sons Spencer (9) and Tommy (6).