Fans: Don Shula’s 80th birthday party was no better than lost yardage
Tags: don shula, Land Shark Stadium, Marc Anthony, Miami Dolphins, Stephen Ross
| Tuesday 5 January 2010 1:06 pm
Food for 80, at $80 per person
It’s segregation, Miami Dolphins-style!
VIPs and celebs are in.
Season ticket holders?
That’s another story.
With the team on a L.A. Lakers-style celebrity kick, it hasn’t been rare to see security stop paying fans from walking by while the likes of minority owner Marc Anthony are escorted into their limos. Or clear the club level bathroom for JLo.
But team officials may have taken it too far over the weekend, some ticked-off season ticket holders say.
Many of the 80 season ticket holders randomly “invited” to pay $80-per to attend former coach Don Shula’s 80th birthday party Saturday night at Land Shark Stadium are complaining bitterly about the way they were treated at the banquet.
What happened? For more and the poll, check below, or click
The view from the cheap seats: VIPs at Don Shula's birthday party last Saturday night at Land Shark Stadium.
“We were treated like second-class citizens,” said Fred Sorentrue, who’s had lower level seats for 12 years. “I’m sure coach Shula would hit the roof if he knew.” (Page2Live is trying to reach the Great One to find out.)
Shula, dozens of his former players, rapper Fergie, new Fins owner Stephen Ross, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other VIPs got the silver spoon treatment.
And the 80 “invited” fans, meanwhile, got partly-cooked hot dogs, dried chicken and soda, all served on plastic plates with plastic forks, Sorentrue said.
They also were bestowed the honor of watching the VIPs munch on their fine foods from a balcony — this, after waiting outside in the cold for all VIPs to get in.
“I’m actually considering cancelling my ($1,700-a-year) season tickets,” Sorentrue said. “The team is offering to give us an $80 credit for next year’s season passes, but I haven’t decided what I’m going to do.”
Those who actually paid to be there
Sorentrue said the night started with season ticket holders waiting alongside the “orange carpet” on a windy, cold night while non-paying guests hurriedly walked by.
“My guest was in a cocktail dress,” said Sorentrue, a retired hospital worker who lives in west Broward County. “It was cold.
“I still can’t tell for what purpose we were asked to be there.”
Dolphins Director of Marketing George Torres said most invited fans were thrilled.
“It was communicated to everyone that they’d be at the balcony,” Torres said. “The registration provided access to watch the party. There was no mention of food. That was added later. We felt we’d found a nice way to incorporate season ticket holders into a good event.”
Torres said corporations bought the tables for VIP for $10,000 a pop, but VIPs weren’t charged individually.
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If VIP accomodations were such a problem then they should have two parties one for VIPs and one for the season ticket holders and former players and regular joes, and let Don make appearances at both.
Paying to party with VIP’s is lame anyway, you get what you deserve.
I have a season ticket holder for 16 seasons and was “invited” to attend the party. I totally concur with what Fred says, and if he was there I was the onw who let Fernando Nunez have a piece of my mind. George Torres is a liar and if he wants to challage me he can. At no time was it conveyed that we would be segrergated from the main party, and I am sure if the “invited” season ticket were informed of the true nature of the offer not one of them would atten. This event was an insult to the season ticket holders that were invited and an embarashment to Coach Shula.
Looks like another p.r. ploy to make money gone bad. Fraud by deception comes to mind.
I was there as one of 80 for 80. I was basically shocked at what happened. We never were given anything about the party till 3 days before via e-mail nothing was said about a balcony at all. I was charged $160 for two people. We wore nice suits with dolphin lapel pins and were told to stay by the orange carpet ropes. Not too bad to start, but at 6 we were escorted to a place I was not pleased with, served cold hot dogs and chicken fingers. Beer was OK. But we watched like lepers as our heroes had a ball. I could not beleive anyone was not noticing our treatment. I have dined with much more famous people then anyone there, know my manners and should have been at a table with the crowd. But we stayed enjoyed the show and I did meet Earl Morall before we were told to leave the carpet and go to the balcony to our hightop.
Anybody who buys season tickets for a loosing NFL franchise like the Fins, deserved exactly what they got.
For all the talent the Fins have had over the years with the lack of championship rings, proves Shula couldn’t coach a pee wee team.
And now 2nd rate celebs are part of team ownership along with the name Land Shark Stadium? Its almost as bad as Pro Player stadium.
The Fins couldn’t win a championship ring even if every team they were supposed to play forfitted the game.
Keep forking over that money you fools and then complain when your treated like crap.
You people must have voted for Obama.
Celebrities should not have to pass by normal people, normal people have flees and ticks which might infect them.
I “won” the ability to buy tickets to the event. I did not receive tickets in the mail as promised. I had to contact my rep. right up until Saturday afternoon.
Once I arrived at the event in my cocktal dress, I was told to stand outside in the cold to watch the actual guests arrive. We were then herded like cattle through the back so as not to have any contact the others. Our accomodations included balcony seats at high top bar tables overlookin the grand ballroom display. Our advertised “dinner buffet and dessrt” included hot dogs,potato chips, cole slaw, potato salad and a chocolate chip cookie.
This was the most demeaning and humiliating experience of my life. I have been a real guest and event coordinator for many exclusive events for celebrites, sports figures and politians. My wait staff was always treated with more dignity than the “80 for the 80th” were that evening.
My disappoint in the Dolphins organization is beyond words. I look forward to hearing an apology. I won’t however be holding my breath.
I can’t believe anyone even remotely associated with the Miami Dolphins is showing their face in public right now. YOUR TEAM IS HORRIBLE! Stop wasting money on the caviar and invest in some new uniforms or something. They ALL deserved half-cooked hotdogs as far as I’m concerned.
No one should be treated differently just because they may have more money then someone else. This mentality is what got our country into the problems we now face. It is called the love of money(aka. the greed of money)
A person is a person no matter what socio-economic background they are from. Don Shula has a love for his community that goes back many years. He would want all of his fans to be treated equally.
This doesn’t surprise me. As a member paying to be in the VIP Club for the past few years to be closer to the team I love, I have seen a change in the way the fans have been treated.
For a team that his hurting for season ticket holders and fans to fill the seats the Dolphins sure aren’t showing it.
Whatever happened to the kick off banquet? Why has the VIP meeting been transfered from the training facility to the visitor locker room?
The loyal fans are being used as a means to an end. The star struck ownership is taking the franchise in the wrong direction.
Bring back Huizenga and send Steven Ross’ but back to NY.
This reflects the leadership of the the new owner. With these trying economic times, some of us struggle to maintain season tickets. It seems the ownership caters towards VIP’s or those with deep pockets, while taking us season tickets holders for granted. I’m not asking for any special treatment; I just want to enjoy some smash-mouth Dolphin football with maybe a beer and a dog, and celebrate every Dolphin score with our traditional fight song.
What a hilarious story! I don’t know which is funnier; paying cash money to be treated like a medieval peasant or the fact they got this many people to attend a washed-up football coach’s birthday. If I was one of the suckers in the balcony I probably would have instigated a riot or at least thrown a beer.
Wow! It is so sad to “read the greed” and I also say… shame on the vip peeps for not stepping up!!!…It’s because of the little people like us that make you vip’s to begin with so don’t forget where you come from. Has anyone stepped up yet?? I wasn’t even there and it’s embarrassing to read!!! … Thinking that all your hard work and dedication to the Fins have finally paid off? Standing out in the cold with high expectations and all you get is a lousy hot dog for 80 bucks??? Are you kidding me?? Really??? That is so low and cheap not to mention deceptive. I hope this come backs ten fold for the person in charge of this event. This is unfair treatment and deceptive practices. What is happening to our country? We ought re name the Stadium from Landshark Stadium to Shameless Stadium. Way to go George and Fernando…way to go.
Now…enjoy the Tsumani!!
First to Pat- what a short memory you have. it was the Great Coach Shula who produced the one and only truly undefeated team. The coaches since then, such as Wannstedt have ruined this team with poor draft picks and trades that will take years to recover from.
2nd-I have had season tickets for over 22 years now. As have many true Fin Fans. So although some rich corporation paid $10,000 for VIP tables, that they use as a tax write-off, my investment in the team has way exceeded that. If I had been invited to this event, and been treated this way, I can guarantee you all those in attendance would have known. To invite fans to watch from a distance how “the other side” lives is disgusting…….arent we reminded on a daily basis what we dont have? To rub it in the face of a Fan is tasteless. I can not imagine that this is what the Fins organization had in mind….Hey lets throw a big bang event, invite a few poor slobs to wacth from a balcony and charge them $80 to do it. Someone actually thought that was a good idea?
GET A LIFE YOU NORTHEASTERN HATERS!YOU ARE THE GROUP OF LOSERS.WHEN I WAS YOUNGER MY FRIENDS AND I WHOM WERE ALL NATIVE FLORIDIANS USED TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE JETS GAME BECAUSE WE WOULD KICK THE SHIT OUT OF ANY JET FAN THAT WOULD CROSS OUR PATH.LOSERS ARE FROM NY.THEY DREAM OF THAT SCUMMY PLACE AS IF ITS SOME TYPE OF MECCA.
OUR CRIME IS SO BAD BECAUSE OF ALL THE NY’ERS THAT HAVE SCREWED UP OUR BEAUTIFUL SOUTH FLORIDA IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.
ROSS IS #1 NY JERK
It’s one thing to root for a team you like.
We all do. Why ? I don’t really know.
But to think that somehow because of that, you’re part of the inner circle of the team itself is delusional.
Time and time again Pro-Sports has dissed the fans.
To lay out thousands of bucks and camp out at the stadium before a game is… on you.
To do anything more than watch the games of the week is foolish.
IMO.
LOL dumb fans anyway,dollfins have done nothing in 25 yrs. Shula is overrated,he really don’t care about you fans anyway,your toilet PAPER TO HIM,CLEARLY DISPLAYED BY THE hotdogs AND PAPER PLATES.hEY SIT IN THE BACK OF THE BUS YOU MORON DOLLFIN FANS,,,lol.
sHULA & MARINO ARE WAY OVERRATED.gET A LIFE PEOPLE..lol
When are you people ( ticket holders ) going to realize that you are just pee-ons to these rich people. They dont give a crap about you at all.Mr Shula included. You are in a different class and category…get used to it..that is how they think,and their actions reflect it.
I too was at this “great event”. We had high expectations for a great time. Standing in the cold, watching the “nice” people pull up in their fancy cars and having the “greeter” kiss their ass as the walked by us “common folks”. Very few of the former greats even acknowledged us. Larry Czonka looked at us like we had the plague.
Once inside the dissapointment continued. Cold food that was supposed to be hot, the hot dogs looked to be left over from the previous weeks game. $ 8.00 for a 12oz beer(at the games you get 16ozs for the same price)
I was an invited guest( I also have 100 level season tickets but didnt make the 80 for 80 list) When I mentioned it was a long way to drive for a free hot dog, that was when I found out my friend paid $ 160.00 for us to attend! What a waste of money!!!
SHAME ON THE DOLPHIN ORGANIZATION FOR RIPPING OFF LOYAL FANS. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THE WAY WE WERE TREATED!
Had we known we were to be segregated like we were, we would have never went.
People that oogle over so-called celebrities get what they deserve.
The new owner is a genius — suck the ‘investors’ in and fill the seats cuz everyone wants to say they saw J-lo’s Hugeass.
Larry Czonka is a tool.
Shula wouldn’t be able to hear you anyway.
Get your priorities straight. Are you there to watch a football game or huddle like sheep to meet some has-been?
Get a life.
$80 for a cold hotdog, chips, and a beer would be considered “a great value” by the NFL and the football franchises today. I’m surprised they didn’t make these fools pay for parking, too!
wow,no wonder there are so many empty seats.way to go george torres [lier].expect to see more next year.I have been a fan my whole life.but the way people were treated is pathetic and if you think this will go away your a joke george.I was there I witnessed it.I was a fan back in 71-72 season when I started going to the bob greise- karl noonan sports camp.back when the players and owners cared about the fans.got to know these people personaly and became friends with their kids and got to stand on the sidelines with them.new stadiums,greedy players-agents and owners with idiots in the front office is why you will continue to see more empty seats including mine.
What a sad thing so many peole who know nothing about footbal slam the most successful team and coach in NFL history. If these morons dont know the facts dont state such stupid things. We are the best fans in the league. The issue being discussed is with the organizers who are most likely in their 20-30’s who know little about psychology due to their obsession with “virtual” communities. The facts are:
The dolphins hold the best record for the regular season including playoffs by a big margin, second is the Dallas Cowboys, then the Chicago Bears. We long time fans enjoyed many SUndays watching the best coach and one of the best quarterbacks in the league win lots of games, the footbal game is supposed to be about family, fun, excitement at the tailgate and great players and coaches. I thank the dolfin organization for the opportunity to enjoy the last 20 years of good times. Ignore the morons stating stupid things. Most likely form the NE anyhow and they are pretty stupid up there.
Fist off, back when the Dolphins had thier “Perfect” season, the coaches made up thier own sched. and if you look at the records of the other teams that they played in 1972, you will see that they had the easiest season out of all the teams that were on the roster that year. So please get over yourself. Shula is a tool and the organizers for this event used you people as window dressing, how does it feel now to be a dolphins fan?
I read comments berating Coach Shula. I met him at the Ft Lauderdale airport and he was kind. He posed for a photo and we had a nice conversation.
He had nothing to do with the treatment of the fans invited to the party. I am sure he would have given them a steak instead of hot dogs if he was given the option.
They probably kept the fans on the balcony because they did not want Fergie to have some drunk get love drunk off her hump. Her hump, her hump, her hump her lovely little lumps.
To Pat, Peblo,Billy Bob and the rest of you Patriot fans nobody really cares what you think about the Miami Dolphins, Coach Shula or anything else. Your own cheating team and coach will give you your own heartburn this year. Hot and Sweaty florida jerk #18 is just another moron Florida hater that can’t rub two nickel’s together to leave the state that he hates so much. Another commenter uses the name OJ, yeah buddy that’s a winner for ya! I wanna listen to you! I don’t like the new owners anymore than anyone else and that’s why I didn’t even try to get these tickets.
The reason you were there Mr Sorentrue was to be a prop for the photos.
Yes you paid to be a prop for the Brainstem’s party, now get over it and continue giving your money to these grave robbers!
Shula is an arrogant buffoon. No suprise anything associated with him turns into a clusterbungle.
When he is dead we can all piss on his grave.
Several years ago Marino was building a house on Jupiter Island and whenever he showed up on site all of the employeesw were told if they even made eye contact with him they would be fired.
So do you nimrods think that an outfit like they Dolphins were even going to let you breath on their VIP’s? You got your answer!
Wow, that was poor treatment, and it was a shame. Its to bad it had happend that way. I would be very unhappy if it had happened to me. My point about this post really isnt about the event itself, well it is, but the really sad part here is how PEOPLE are commenting, this isnt about the game, this is about humanity, and all you shallow people who are ripping shula, and the team saying they are crappy and havent done anything in 25 years, who cares? Its about how others were treated, remember it could have happened to you, and your wonderful special team that you think you have also. It could have been anyone, no fan, of any team should be treated like they are lower class citizes because of money, funny thing is, i bet some of the people that were in attendance probably have more money then half of the star power bozos that were invited and treated like kings and queens,
Do you expect anything less from a guy they named a freeway after? He can’t be bothered by such rabble
Sorry Jeff it could not happen to me because I would never pay $80 to go to anyone’s party and I would not cross a street to see any celebrity.
There was no need for tables because everyone could have put their plates and drinks on J Lo’s butt.
I was a VIP @ the event.
We would not had attended if we were to be mixed w/commoner’s.
If we did , we would go to the mall.
Wow. Now I realise why they treated these people like they did. Reading most of these responses proves that the general public is stock full of people who are out of their minds, dangerous and plain crazy or hopped up on pharmacutical mental drugs. I would sequester them for fear of random violence. Jeff is right, the discussion is humanity, and fair treatment. Not what team is better, and how much a person is hated when they dont even know that person. I surely hope the authorities track the identity of these frightful and threatening people posting to this discussion. Might as well raise your hands and say pay attention to me, put me on your watch list for threats and I am fine as long as I post my hatred in public. I would bet everything I have they are part of the “lost- test tube conceived - pharmacy dependant” generation also.
Wow. Now I realise why they treated these people like they did. Reading most of these responses proves that the FLORIDA NATIVE is out of his mind, dangerous and plain crazy or hopped up on pharmacutical mental drugs. I would sequester him for fear of random violence. Jeff is right, the discussion is humanity, and fair treatment. Not what team is better, and how much a person is hated when they dont even know that person. I surely hope the authorities track FLORIDA NATIVE, to find out the identity of this frightful and threatening person posting to this discussion. He might as well raise his hands and say pay attention to me, put me on your watch list for threats and I am fine as long as I post my hatred in public. I would bet everything I have that FLORIDA NATIVE is part of the “lost- test tube conceived - pharmacy dependant” generation also.
Having no dog in the fight, I’m not sure who’s more pathetic, the hapless Dolphin fans or The NY’ers that comment on it.
Brian Cocks
Wake up - they like the money from the season ticket holder gullible enough to pay it - but where they really get their financial support is from the taxpayers. Time and time again those in power vote to give away tax money to pay for stadiums with untaxable VIP booths and yet only a tiny percentage of the taxpayers are interested in the sport. Only when these sports club owners have to fork out the money themselves will they care about the ticket holders.
If Stephen Ross is reading this, can you please fire or trade Ted Ginn.
Thanks
Since Ross bought the fins the franchise has gone into he Hollywood phase. Everything is geared toward glitz and glimmer.
This is pretty shabby treatment of loyal season ticketholders. I dont think they should expected caviar and champagne for the $80 ticket price—-but chicken wings and cold hot dogs??
Lets see if they offer more than an $80 rebate on
season tickets—–if not keep up the pressure on organization with letters to the media and protests.
Let them serve chicken wings to Marc Anthony and Jay-lo next time—–perhaps Fergie will like potato salad.
Yeah,yeah,yeah,mr dolfanbob #24. Time for show & tell.Show us how many ring’s wuss danny let me run a way don’t hit me boy has???
Between Dade,Broward & palm beach county you got more than 3 million people & you hardly ever sell out unless a big coropration buy’s out the last few thousand tickets.
when you play the Jets,Pitt,or NE there are more of us then of you wittle fishie fans.
Don Shula is the past and so is your magical endless bowel movement season get over it.
Miami has done nothing in 25 yrs. (FACT)
Get real people; you can’t buy your way into the VIP circle. Only fools and suckers think they can…dream that they can…pray that they can.
It’s like Hollywood. Money will get you in and you will get skinned.
Wise up and know your place and position in life.
Season tickets…ho ho ho.
Typical Miami - fake fake fake - GO BENGALS!!! GO BIG TEN! Dolphins and Canes go to hell.
I did not attend but I would hope that if any of the players or coach new about what was happening they would have paid a visit to the group in the balcony. I am a season ticket holder and will never forgive coach shula for taking my little girls mini dolphin helmet to sign at a breakfast about 15 years ago, holding it in his hand for a few seconds and giving it back to us unsigned. We didn’t realize it until we got the helmet back and could not get it back to him again.
I was one of the fans “invited” to the event. I emailed them back an incredulous response. “I am one of the honored ones to be given the opportunity to pay 80 dollars to watch it in the balcony? You must be kidding” No response from the team.
The fans knew what they were getting. I was upset they would even have the gall to be all excited to offer us this opportunity to watch in a balcony and get charged. Typical treatment of season ticket holders. We mean nothing to them. They just want our money. Football is never going to be what it used to be. It is all a business. And if we don’t like the service from our business we take our business elsewhere. They shouldn’t be surprised season ticket holders drop like flies every year.
Just for clarity here is the email sent to season ticket holders - at least one part
“will be able to purchase 2 balcony seats for 80 dollars each to be part of one of the most memorable evenings for Don Shula and his fans.
With the 80 for $80 package you will receive
Access to watch Orange Carpet arrivals
Balcony view of the Shula Birthday Celebration
No mention of food or being in the party. Just “balcony view” of the celebration. In my previous post I sent an email back upset they dared to ask. But in fairness they did say we get nothing and eat nothing for 80 dollars.
Still, we are treated like dirt and you see it on Sunday in the stadium when the stadium is nothing like Orange Bowl Days. Even when we weren’t as good in the 80s it was a different feel in those days. J Lo and Venus aren’t changing any of that. Fans are not a priority and no one cares how we feel about anything. Thinking we should be honored that 80 out of 50,000 season tickets holders can pay 80 dollars to watch “their” party says it all. How appalling
$80.00 to watch other people have a party? The Dolphin organization absolutely blows.
After reading most of the responses, It is exactly whats wrong with the NFL and the United States Today.
We want your money, and nothing else. So you can keep us rich and you poor. So we dont have to work and you do. Wake Up. Stop paying hard earned money to go and watch over paid people. Stop giving to Charities, Realize the CEO of every charity lives as a millionaire, but if your in need, what do you get a meager hand out. F the banks, F buying a new car, F buying anything new, buy on EBAY and buy it used, Pay off your debt, Stop spending and see how the rich fall….
I too was an invited guest to this so-called celebration. After waiting out in the cold for over an hour, we were herded like cattle through a back door adjacent to the rest rooms as to not possibly have any contact with the “dignitaries.” Once in the elevator we were taken to the third floor where we were greeted by the hostess who politely pointed to barren bar top tables. After we gained our composure from realizing we were seated on the balcony unable to join in on the celebration of Don’s 80th birthday, the hostess advised us that the bar was open and the buffet was available. She warned us however, that if we blocked the unoccupied space between the table we were sitting at and the adjoining pillar that we would be asked to leave! The cash bar served up nice three ounce plastic glasses of wine for $9.00 and domestic beer for $8.00. The buffet was adorned with half cooked hot dogs, dried chicken fingers, chips and what appeared to be Publix chocolate chip cookies. How appropriate for an invitation only semi-formal event at $80 per person! The tables below, covered in fine linen, were adorned with massive centerpieces – a one foot cube with Don’s face etched on each side, filled with fresh cut floating flowers and topped by a hand painted football, each celebrating one year in Don’s history with the Dolphins and Colts - (a door prize for one guest at each table). The non-paying invited dignitary’s meal consisted of a Chef inspired blueberry balsam vinaigrette salad, filet mignon, and a hand made chocolate and vanilla cream desert, each topped off with strawberries and an orchid flower. After laughing that the organizer used the fans to offset the expenses associated with the main celebration enjoyed by the dignitaries barely within view, it was time to take a break from the festivities. The only problem was that the elevators were on lockdown to prevent the paying guests on the balcony from entering the real celebration. This only added insult to injury. Believe me, I have been to events with entertainers far more famous than the non-paying invited guests and never been treated so poorly. However, I must say that this was an insult to the highest degree, demeaning, and disgraceful. Responsibility lies solely with the organizers, not Don Shula or the invited guests. Would there have been any issue with setting up six or eight additional tables at the rear of the ballroom for these dedicated fans. Most certainly not! I would hope for an apology letter but am not holding my breath! Non-renewal of my season tickets is under consideration!
After all that you are only considering cancelling your season tickets? There is he problem right there, they know no matter how many shit sandwiches they feed you, you will keep coming back.
Wow I am not even a fan of football but this is horrible. It says alot about how the NFL and The Dolphins think of thier loyal fanbase. Personally if it were me I would have thrown that food down at them. Chances are I would have hit JLO’s big ass. 80 dollars for cold hot dog and on top of that you had to pay for the wine. The Dolphins should be ashamed of themselves but I suspect they don’t care. They know the suckers will be back.
I did not know Rush Limbaugh was a new owner of The Dolphins.
i WASN’T there but, i think it would’ve been funnier if they were treated like CARP
This is why the Dolphins will NEVER win anything.
When Joe Robbie died, the spirit of this team changed. Robbie was cheap in some ways but he was a man who worked hard and cared about the fans. I let Mr. Robbie in the airport headed to New York for an owners meeting. He had a driver but didn’t have planes, helicopter, none of that stuff.
All that Steve Ross wants to do is prostitute the franchise and rape it. He’s starstruck and I find it pathetic. The Dolphins haven’t won a Super Bowl in 35 years and he acts as if they have 6 trophies in the case.
I’m willing to bet you that Shula didn’t know about this at all or he would have demanded steaks or something. The Dolphins, since Robbie have died, I have been in the hands of rapists. This is why Miami will never win anything!