A Chinese billionaire bought 1 percent of the Miami Dolphins at a valuation of $12.5 billion, showcasing just how much each NFL team is worth and the constant increase in value
12:30 ET, 05 Mar 2026Updated 12:33 ET, 05 Mar 2026
Chinese tech billionaire Lin Bin, right, has purchased a stake in the Miami Dolphins
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Billionaire Lei Jun, chairChinese tech billionaire Lin Bin, right, has purchased a stake in the Miami DolphinsChinese tech billionaire Lin Bin, right, has purchased a stake in the Miami Dolphins(Image: Kuni Takahashi/Bloomberg via Getty Images )
A small percentage of the Miami Dolphins was sold at a record valuation.
The Dolphins are in the midst of a rebuild, with Miami seemingly looking to part ways with former star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, having already released star wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Miami also fired head coach Mike McDaniel after a 7-10 season, which saw them miss the playoffs.
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Despite the state of the franchise at present, the allure of owning the Dolphins still is enough for prospective buyers to take the plunge. Meanwhile, another NFL team has started construction on a new $1.4 billion stadium moving the franchise 150 miles away.
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It was reported by multiple outlets that owner Stephen Ross will sell one percent of the Dolphins at a record valuation of $12.5 billion to Chinese tech billionaire Lin Bin. As a result, the 85-year-old Ross is set to receive $125 million for one percent of the franchise he will be giving up.
In the past, Ross has sold 13 percent of the team in deals valued at $8.1 billion in 2024, according to NBC Sports. The Chinese billionaire's purchase would also include assets like the Miami Grand Prix and Hard Rock Stadium, according to Bloomberg.
That said, the sale must go through the NFL's approval process, which requires at least 24 owners to approve of the deal. Bin is worth $11.9 billion, per Bloomberg, and is the co-founder of smartphone maker Xiaomi, having previously worked at Microsoft and Google.
Miami Dolphins General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan speaks as Jeff Hafley is introduced during a press conference at Baptist Health Training Complex on January 22, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida
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Despite being in a rebuild, the Miami Dolphins still is an attractive venture for owners, with Jon-Eric Sullivan tabbed to lead the change(Image: Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
With the sale of the Dolphins setting a new standard in valuations, it can bode well for the Seahawks, which recently was put up for sale. Just days after the organization won its second Super Bowl, the estate of Paul Allen announced it would seek new owners.
"The Estate of Paul G. Allen today announced it has commenced a formal sale process for the Seattle Seahawks NFL franchise, consistent with Allen's directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all Estate proceeds to philanthropy," the statement at the time began.
"The Estate has selected investment back Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins to lead the sale process, which is estimated to continue through the 2026 off-season. NFL owners must then ratify a final purchase agreement."
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The Seahawks' sale is expected to set a new franchise record price as the valuation of each NFL team has steadily increased over the last decade or so.
In 2025, the average NFL team was valued at $7.1 billion, a 25 percent increase from 2024. Since 2021, the Dallas Cowboys' valuation has jumped 104 percent, making them the most valuable franchise at $13 billion, according to Forbes.
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The Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants are the other two franchises valued at over $10 billion, with the former at $10.5 billion and the latter at $10.1 billion. Each team in the league is valued at over $5 billion for the first time, with the Cincinnati Bengals valued at $5.25 billion, the lowest in the NFL.
For now, it remains to be seen how much the Seahawks will be sold. But considering how much one percent of the Dolphins sold, it appears the Miami sale has reset the market for team sales.