Dolphins Name Daniel Sillman As CEO

Dolphins president and CEO Tom Garfinkel is stepping down after 13 seasons in the role, the team announced. Daniel Sillman will replace him. Sillman, 37, cofounded Relevant Sports — a company overseeing the Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium — and has worked with Ross for the past decade. Sillman is married to Ross’ daughter, Kimberly.

“Danny’s deep familiarity with the organization’s businesses, combined with his experience building globally recognized sports and media companies, uniquely positions him to lead Ross Sports & Entertainment into its next phase of operation,” Ross said. “He understands our culture, our ambitions, and where we’re headed, and I have complete confidence in his ability to lead the organization into this new era.”

Sullivan, Hafley and VP of football operations Brandon Shore will report to Sillman, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes. This offseason brought strides for the longtime Ross confidant, as he led the searches for the team’s GM and HC positions — which respectively went to Sullivan and Hafley. The Dolphins also promoted Shore to executive VP earlier this summer, setting up a front office structure in which both he and Sullivan have central decision-making roles. Sillman will now oversee both.

This role may well be a stepping stone for Sillman. He and Ross’ two daughters — Kimberly and Jennifer — are in place as successors to the owner, ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques adds. Ross, 86, has owned the Dolphins since February 2008. Garfinkel joined the Dolphins in 2013 and will still have a role moving forward. After being part of the committee that tabbed Hafley and Sullivan to come over from Green Bay, Garfinkel will serve as vice chairman of the team and Hard Rock Stadium, per a team announcement.