Image: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images
Audio By Carbonatix
For the second consecutive year, the Miami Dolphins topped the rankings on the NFL Players Association's team report cards, with A grades across every category (many of those A+). From team travel to the weight room, head coach, and ownership, Miami has established itself as the gold standard for seeing to the needs of its players.
Head coach Mike McDaniel’s player-friendly culture continues to be popular, as players praised his leadership with an A+ rating. The Dolphins’ investment in top-tier facilities and player experience directly responds to the NFLPA’s previous reports, and it’s paying off.
So, now that we've covered the good news, let's get to what the NFLPA's report card didn't cover – from a fans' perspective, at least. If there were an NFL Fans Association — the NFLFA — the Dolphins wouldn't get straight As.
Who are you taking as your cruise roomie? 🛳️🤔 pic.twitter.com/kWAW525yRR
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) March 3, 2025
Social Media Account: B
Once upon a time, if you wanted to get to know a Miami Dolphins player off the field, you needed to tune in to the Dan Marino Show or find them at a Radio Shack, but no more! Now, thanks to the internet and social media, Phins fans can flock to places like Twitter (X, if you insist) to see who their favorite players are, under the helmet.
From player interviews, behind-the-scenes mic'd up footage, and typical social-media shenanigans, the Dolphins account is among the NFL's best. We give it a B because we'd like more player-hosted content, player stories/profiles, and more shenanigans.
Miami Dolphins.com: A
Speaking of player profiles and in-depth storytelling — MiamiDolphins.com is where much of that exists. The Dolphins also have a wonderful Drive Time with Travis Wingfield podcast that is everything the nerdiest-die hard-plugged in Fins fan could ever want.
If it's Dolphins news you're looking for — sans opinions — the official Dolphins website is the place to visit. And let's be honest: While we used to be much more interested in everyone's views, these days fewer opinions and less arguing makes for a far more enjoyable experience, specifically when it comes to sports, which is supposed to be an outlet and a form of, you know, entertainment.
click to enlarge An aerial view of Hard Rock Stadium on March 14, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. This is home stadium where the Miami Dolphins of the National football League play. It is also where the Miami Open Tennis Tournament is played. The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix is held here with The Miami International Autodrome and a purpose-built temporary circuit around Hard Rock Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium, from the top
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Stadium Experience: A+
You can say many things about the product on the field, but the stadium where the Dolphins play football is second to none, in multiple ways. From accessibility — Hard Rock is located on the outskirts of I-95 — to the organization around the stadium and bright, welcoming environment within, attending a Phins game in person is a delight.
Of course, none of this is by accident. What was once a stadium headed toward the junk heap like the old Orange Bowl, received a multimillion-dollar makeover courtesy of Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. The investment transformed the Dolphins' home into a world-class venue where F1 races are held, and soon, World Cup matches will take place.
The Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes, and the hundreds of thousands of fans who stroll through Hard Rock's gates each year are lucky to have it in the 305.
click to enlarge
There's no shortage of Dolphins fans piling into games.
Photo by Ian Witlen
Game-Day Prices: C-
According to a study performed by the sports betting website SportsCasting.com, attending a Dolphins game in 2024 ranked in the middle of the pack in terms of cost. This makes sense, considering that the Dolphins are a perennial middle-of-the-pack team!
SportsCasting pegged the average get-in-the-door price of a Dolphins game at $141. For context, the average get-in price for a 2024 NFL game was $131.82. This, coupled with the fact that concessions and in-stadium items aren't cheap, makes attending a Dolphins game — as good as the experience is — a luxury at best for your average Miamian. And forget getting good seats or bringing the family.
To be fair — this is an NFL problem as much as a Miami Dolphins problem. Expensive tickets are a byproduct of only having, at most, eight home games each year and a lot of bills to pay to keep up with the rest of the league.
click to enlarge two Miami Dolphins fans at a home game, decked out in colorful team regalia
Miami Dolphins in their natural habitat, Hard Rock Stadium
Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Overall Mental Health: D-
We don't have any data to back this up, but we're pretty confident that if you're a diehard Miami Dolphins fan, you're more likely to take blood-pressure medication than a New England Patriots fan. For decades, the Phins have put their fans through the wringer, from scandals to on-field disappointments. And yet, not only do we have zero Super Bowl trophies to show for it, but the Dolphins haven't won a single playoff game in nearly a quarter-century.
In short, being a Dolphins fan is terrible for your mental, and, possibly, physical health. That said, we can't wait for the team to return this fall, because we feel the most alive when the Dolphins play on Sundays, good or bad.