Dolphins Deny Reports Stadium Renovations Are Behind Schedule
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Another week, another report that the Miami Dolphins' home stadium renovations are behind schedule.
Both the Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes have released statements following a report by CBS Sports that a delay in the renovation schedule caused the Canes to move their season opener on September 3rd to FSU Stadium in Boca Raton.
University of Miami Athletic Director Blake James said in a statement on Wednesday that "We still expect to play all of our games at the stadium" while FAU told the Palm Beach Post that he has had no discussions with UM about having any Canes games played at their home stadium.
It's also worth noting that FAU will host its home opener the same day as the Hurricanes, September 3rd.
On Thursday the Dolphins also released a statement, this one coming from Bill Senn who is the Senior Vice President of Stadium Renovation.
"The reports that the stadium won't be ready for football until November are incorrect. Getting a project of this scale done in this timeframe is unprecedented and the contractor is working diligently on a 24/7 basis to complete the canopy structure. While we will still be doing some "non-football critical" elements and final touches into the season similar to Phase 1 last year, at this point in the process we still expect to be ready to play football September 1."
Throughout the construction that began as soon as the Dolphins finished their 2015 schedule, the team has maintained that the renovations are on schedule.
Speculation swirled last month when the NFL announced that Miami's preseason game on August 25th against the Atlanta Falcons would be moved to Orlando's Camping World Stadium.
The move came in congruence with the league's announcement that the 2017 Pro Bowl would also be played in Orlando.
The Dolphins final preseason game is scheduled to be played at what is currently being called New Miami Stadium on September 1st against the Tennessee Titans. The Hurricanes home opener is set for two days later.
After that, the next game scheduled at the stadium isn't until September 10th when the Canes host FAU.
The Dolphins don't play their first home game of the regular season until September 25th against the Cleveland Browns.
