Latest news with #TomGarfinkel
Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Time and opponent of Miami Dolphins' 2025 international game revealed
The time and opponent of the Miami Dolphins' 2025 international game has finally been revealed. Miami will face the Washington Commanders for a pivotal Week 11 matchup at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 16. This will be the first time that the Dolphins and Commanders have met in the regular season since a 45-17 drubbing in favor of Miami in 2023. Billed as the NFL's inaugural trip to Spain, the game will take place at the historic Bernabéu Stadium, home to the legendary Real Madrid F.C. 'We are thrilled to play the NFL's inaugural game in Spain, a country of rich history, tradition and passion and home to a vibrant Dolphins fanbase,' Miami Dolphins vice chairman, president and CEO Tom Garfinkel said in a statement. 'There is a hunger for football in this market, and we are proud to join with the NFL in growing the game internationally while engaging with old and new fans alike.' Miami's matchup against Washington will be the final of seven international games that will begin Week 1 with the Los Angeles Chargers and a yet to be named opponent in São Paolo. Three other games will be played in London — the Minnesota Vikings versus the Cleveland Browns, the Denver Broncos versus the New York Jets and the Los Angeles Rams versus the Jacksonville Jaguars — in addition to one in Dublin — the Vikings versus the Pittsburgh Steelers — and one in Berlin — the Atlanta Falcons versus the Indianapolis Colts. The Dolphins have been a staple in international games since the foreign excursions began. Madrid will be the eighth place the Dolphins have played. Other international games include Germany (2023), United Kingdom (2021, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2007) and Canada (2008). Brett Gosper, who heads Europe and APAC at the NFL, called the 2025 game a 'historic moment.' 'The exciting first-ever game in Spain underlines the NFL's continued commitment to expanding its global footprint and reaching new audiences across the world,' Gosper said in a statement. 'The Miami Dolphins playing at the Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid C.F., showcases the global appeal of the league and of our sport, in what promises to be a historic moment.' Unlike the Commanders-Dolphins' 2023 meeting, expect the 2025 iteration to be close now that Washington has found their franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels. The former 2024 No. 2 pick took the Commanders to the NFC Championship game enroute to being named offensive rookie of the year and earning his first Pro Bowl bid. Meanwhile, the Dolphins will look to get back on track after a disappointing 8-9 finish in 2024, coach Mike McDaniel's first sub-.500 record, despite the loss of several key players.
Miami Herald
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Night moves, U.S. future, Mercedes moving on: a Miami Grand Prix notebook
Not only will the Miami Grand Prix not be going anywhere as far as existence, it's not going anywhere geographically, either. And, it will remain a daytime race (for now). Yes, the people behind the Miami Grand Prix know about the traffic. That's some of what Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix managing partner Tom Garfinkel said Sunday, hours before lights out on the race's fourth edition. Garfinkel, also the Miami Dolphins' CEO, should be feeling pretty ebullient these days. This year's total attendance bumped back up after last year's small decrease, which he said might be partially blamed on world champion Max Verstappen's run of dominance in 2023 and 2024 that ended with the 2024 Miami Grand Prix. Formula 1 slapped another 10 years onto its existing deal with South Florida Motorsports, keeping the Miami Grand Prix on the calendar until 2041. It will stay in Miami Gardens, too. 'Moving downtown will not happen,' Garfinkel said. 'We're here to stay. There's a lot of reasons why downtown didn't make sense when we first got into this, and those reasons still exist. We've obviously made a big investment in this campus.' The Miami International Autodrome layout includes a number of temporary buildings, some of which might become permanent, Garfinkel said, if that creates a parking problem for Dolphins games and other events. With the length of the deal with F1, if Dolphins owner Stephen Ross' South Florida Motorsports wanted to install lights, they would shell out the $15 million to $20 million to buy them. Garfinkel called night race talks, 'very preliminary' and, 'there's no plans to do that right now' because of television time zone effects — a 7 p.m. start would be midnight in London, 1 a.m. in Berlin — and the surrounding Miami Gardens community. While neighborhood concerns about the event's noise quieted quickly, street congestion, especially on Northwest 27th Avenue after Friday, Saturday and Sunday events remains an issue. The drivers themselves mentioned traffic around Miami in general as a problem. Garfinkel said that's the one negative thing the 10 Formula 1 team principals mentioned this year in his discussions with them. 'This year, the traffic was an issue because there's construction on the turnpike,' he said. 'We can't control construction on the turnpike. But, we do spend countless hours working on egress and ingress, figure out how to get people in and out of here.' Garfinkel also said that's the reason organizers really aren't interested in bringing in too many more fans than the 275,000 they have drawn over the Friday-Saturday-Sunday race weekend. FIA president on Cadillac and U.S. karting Next year's Miami Grand Prix will be the first race in the United States for the Formula 1's second U.S.-based team, Cadillac, which revealed its logo but no liveries or hints at drivers at a South Beach launch party Saturday night. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem described the effort to get Cadillac in as F1's 11th team as 'to hell and back,' but believes the addition of a team carrying an iconic red, white and blue name helps Formula 1 unlock the vault of U.S. motorsports fandom money. 'The American needs to see his brand also,' said Ben Sulayem from an office overlooking the Miami International Autodrome front straightaway. 'This is why I believe we haven't scratched the surface here.' F1's popularity in the United States surges despite the lack of a driver with U.S. roots. It has been so long since a U.S. driver won a grand prix — 1978, Mario Andretti, Dutch Grand Prix — even Fernando Alonso wasn't born yet. No U.S. driver has taken the green since current IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi started seven races for backmarker Marussia in 2014 and 2015. The reasons are many. Gen Z and Gen Alpha might be the first generation to grow up with a broad affinity for and watching Formula 1 as opposed to IndyCar (Greatest Generation, pre-Boomers, Boomers, Gen X) and NASCAR (Gen X, Millennials). Also, F1's feeder systems truly begin with European go-karting and it takes money to advance even in karting not to mention upwards through other developmental stages. 'You have such an amazing culture for karting, but it's disorganized,' Ben Sulayem said. 'And, we need to have our federation here to embrace them, talk to them. We can elevate motorsport beyond what we have. If we harmonize the regulations between the United States and the rest of the world of FIA championships, we can really make our business more sustainable. There's so much here.' Mercedes and Hamilton still friends after divorce The marriage between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes might be the most successful in Formula 1 history. In 12 seasons at Mercedes after leaving McLaren, Hamilton racked up 84 of his record 105 Grand Prix wins and six of his record-tying seven world titles. Though Hamilton left Mercedes for Ferrari, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff wanted to make very clear he and his team aren't bitter ex-spouses. 'We're still great friends with Lewis,' Wolff said. 'I spent a lot of time with him, traveling, and I'm still seeing him. It came to a point last year where, you know, it's like spending 12 years in a row on holiday with your best friend. At a certain stage you say, well, maybe do something else this time around. 'And for Lewis, he needed a refresher, a reinvention. Ferrari is iconic, no doubt about that. Certainly he also got terms that were interesting for him.' Wolff's description of what's changed inside Mercedes partially echoes what Hamilton said about adjusting to Ferrari life. 'Lewis was part of the family. As a racing driver, he knew exactly what he wanted and the engineers and mechanics knew him. He knew them. We got along,' Wolff said. 'You have good days, bad days, strengths and weaknesses. But when you know someone that well, it's easy to manage that. Now the dynamic is different. George (Russell) has massively stepped up as a senior driver in the team. ' Bloodlines and Max as father Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner expects star driver Max Verstappen to be a 'very present father' doing his share of the babycare duties with wife Kelly Piquet and 'life will be very different for him now, in many respects, as a parent.' In addition to a four-time world F1 champion father, Verstappen's newborn daughter, Lily, has a three-time world champion maternal grandfather (Nelson Piquet) and a longtime F1 driver as a paternal grandfather (Jos Verstappen). 'I'm just thinking... the genes of that child are quite incredible. When you think of Verstappen and Piquet.. if a racehorse had those genes, it'd be worth a fortune!'
San Francisco Chronicle
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
A merging of cultures is happening in Miami, where F1's circuit has become a beach vacation
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — In between the loud zooms of cars whipping around the race track, nightclub-like electronic beats blared through the speakers at the Miami Grand Prix. Some attendees took in the scene sitting comfortably in shaded trackside suites. Some dipped their feet in a pool at the Hard Rock Beach Club, the signature day club at the Miami International Autodrome that provides a tropical backdrop for some of the most popular music acts in the city. Hard Rock Stadium organizers are used to hosting some of the biggest events in sports: The Super Bowl. Tennis tournaments. College football's national championship game. Formula One is just the latest annual star-studded spectacle. As F1 has gained popularity in the U.S. in recent years — thanks in part to the popular Netflix series 'Drive to Survive' — the Miami Grand Prix has become one of the more appealing stops on the F1 calendar, infusing racing weekend with festival-like concerts and parties to draw more people to the track. 'Fan bases are built at events, not on television," said Tom Garfinkel, managing partner of the Miami Grand Prix. "I think you become a fan at the event. So if we can create a great festival atmosphere here for casual fans and then they come, they're going to fall in love with the racing.' There are two other F1 races in the U.S. every year. Las Vegas was added to the schedule in 2023 and F1 also makes a stop at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. But Miami Grand Prix feels its emphasis on music, entertainment and Miami's culture is what sets its race apart. 'At the end of the day when you think about that Miami culture, you're thinking about the sunshine, you're thinking about great culinary offerings," said Keith Sheldon, Hard Rock's president of entertainment and brand management, "and you're also thinking about amazing music." 'Certainly other F1 races have done a great job bringing in amazing musicians and bands and performers to help elevate the offerings," Sheldon added. "But I think that Miami really makes it a part of every race. It's in between runs. It's before qualifying, after. There's just so much happening around music and entertainment.' In the fourth year of the event's 20-year stay in Miami, a mix of pop and Latin acts filled the entertainment lineup to appeal to both a local and global audience. Around 275,000 people were expected to attend the three-day race weekend, Garfinkel said. About 60% of those attendees were from Florida, with a majority living in South Florida. Dutch music producer DJ Tiesto was set play at the start and finish of Sunday's race. Pitbull was headlining a concert later that evening. Other weekend performances included popular Miami-born DJ Steve Aoki and electro-dance duo Sofi Tukker. On Saturday, Lando Norris beat McLaren Racing teammate Oscar Piastri to win an eventful, rain-soaked sprint race early in the afternoon. Max Verstappen edged Norris of by .065 seconds in qualifying later that day to take the top starting spot for Sunday's race. Both races were displayed on a huge outdoor jumbotron at the beach club, which is by Turns 11, 12 and 13. Sprawling white cabanas lined the area to provide a mild escape from the sweltering South Florida heat. There's a bar in the center of the outdoor club and a pool right beside that. Later that evening, the area turned into a concert pit for Aoki's high-energy set. 'It combines all the best things of Miami," said Stacey Mageropoulos, a Ferrari fan who drove in from the nearby city Sunrise. 'You get Formula One, but then you get the beach experiences, which everyone knows Miami for that. ... I'm at a festival while I'm at F1. It's the best of both worlds.' Music also took a front seat just outside the team garages at the track, where upbeat tunes that make up the soundtrack for this summer's 'F1' movie could be heard. The Miami Grand Prix was the first time that most people could listen to the records, which featured a range of artists from Ed Sheeran and Doja Cat to Roddy Ricch. 'I think it's great to merge the worlds,' Ricch said Saturday, his first time at an F1 event. 'You see what Travis Scott does when he goes to be with WWE, with the wrestlers. It's all different people who just love and enjoy entertainment and culture. That's always a good way to blend different worlds.' ___
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A merging of cultures is happening in Miami, where F1's circuit has become a beach vacation
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — In between the loud zooms of cars whipping around the race track, nightclub-like electronic beats blared through the speakers at the Miami Grand Prix. Some attendees took in the scene sitting comfortably in shaded trackside suites. Some dipped their feet in a pool at the Hard Rock Beach Club, the signature day club at the Miami International Autodrome that provides a tropical backdrop for some of the most popular music acts in the city. Hard Rock Stadium organizers are used to hosting some of the biggest events in sports: The Super Bowl. Tennis tournaments. College football's national championship game. Formula One is just the latest annual star-studded spectacle. As F1 has gained popularity in the U.S. in recent years — thanks in part to the popular Netflix series 'Drive to Survive' — the Miami Grand Prix has become one of the more appealing stops on the F1 calendar, infusing racing weekend with festival-like concerts and parties to draw more people to the track. 'Fan bases are built at events, not on television," said Tom Garfinkel, managing partner of the Miami Grand Prix. "I think you become a fan at the event. So if we can create a great festival atmosphere here for casual fans and then they come, they're going to fall in love with the racing.' There are two other F1 races in the U.S. every year. Las Vegas was added to the schedule in 2023 and F1 also makes a stop at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. But Miami Grand Prix feels its emphasis on music, entertainment and Miami's culture is what sets its race apart. 'At the end of the day when you think about that Miami culture, you're thinking about the sunshine, you're thinking about great culinary offerings," said Keith Sheldon, Hard Rock's president of entertainment and brand management, "and you're also thinking about amazing music." 'Certainly other F1 races have done a great job bringing in amazing musicians and bands and performers to help elevate the offerings," Sheldon added. "But I think that Miami really makes it a part of every race. It's in between runs. It's before qualifying, after. There's just so much happening around music and entertainment.' In the fourth year of the event's 20-year stay in Miami, a mix of pop and Latin acts filled the entertainment lineup to appeal to both a local and global audience. Around 275,000 people were expected to attend the three-day race weekend, Garfinkel said. About 60% of those attendees were from Florida, with a majority living in South Florida. Dutch music producer DJ Tiesto was set play at the start and finish of Sunday's race. Pitbull was headlining a concert later that evening. Other weekend performances included popular Miami-born DJ Steve Aoki and electro-dance duo Sofi Tukker. On Saturday, Lando Norris beat McLaren Racing teammate Oscar Piastri to win an eventful, rain-soaked sprint race early in the afternoon. Max Verstappen edged Norris of by .065 seconds in qualifying later that day to take the top starting spot for Sunday's race. Both races were displayed on a huge outdoor jumbotron at the beach club, which is by Turns 11, 12 and 13. Sprawling white cabanas lined the area to provide a mild escape from the sweltering South Florida heat. There's a bar in the center of the outdoor club and a pool right beside that. Later that evening, the area turned into a concert pit for Aoki's high-energy set. 'It combines all the best things of Miami," said Stacey Mageropoulos, a Ferrari fan who drove in from the nearby city Sunrise. 'You get Formula One, but then you get the beach experiences, which everyone knows Miami for that. ... I'm at a festival while I'm at F1. It's the best of both worlds.' Music also took a front seat just outside the team garages at the track, where upbeat tunes that make up the soundtrack for this summer's 'F1' movie could be heard. The Miami Grand Prix was the first time that most people could listen to the records, which featured a range of artists from Ed Sheeran and Doja Cat to Roddy Ricch. 'I think it's great to merge the worlds,' Ricch said Saturday, his first time at an F1 event. 'You see what Travis Scott does when he goes to be with WWE, with the wrestlers. It's all different people who just love and enjoy entertainment and culture. That's always a good way to blend different worlds.' ___ AP auto racing:
Hamilton Spectator
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
A merging of cultures is happening in Miami, where F1's circuit has become a beach vacation
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — In between the loud zooms of cars whipping around the race track, nightclub-like electronic beats blared through the speakers at the Miami Grand Prix. Some attendees took in the scene sitting comfortably in shaded trackside suites. Some dipped their feet in a pool at the Hard Rock Beach Club, the signature day club at the Miami International Autodrome that provides a tropical backdrop for some of the most popular music acts in the city. Hard Rock Stadium organizers are used to hosting some of the biggest events in sports: The Super Bowl. Tennis tournaments. College football's national championship game. Formula One is just the latest annual star-studded spectacle. As F1 has gained popularity in the U.S. in recent years — thanks in part to the popular Netflix series 'Drive to Survive' — the Miami Grand Prix has become one of the more appealing stops on the F1 calendar, infusing racing weekend with festival-like concerts and parties to draw more people to the track. 'Fan bases are built at events, not on television,' said Tom Garfinkel, managing partner of the Miami Grand Prix. 'I think you become a fan at the event. So if we can create a great festival atmosphere here for casual fans and then they come, they're going to fall in love with the racing.' There are two other F1 races in the U.S. every year. Las Vegas was added to the schedule in 2023 and F1 also makes a stop at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. But Miami Grand Prix feels its emphasis on music, entertainment and Miami's culture is what sets its race apart. 'At the end of the day when you think about that Miami culture, you're thinking about the sunshine, you're thinking about great culinary offerings,' said Keith Sheldon, Hard Rock's president of entertainment and brand management, 'and you're also thinking about amazing music.' 'Certainly other F1 races have done a great job bringing in amazing musicians and bands and performers to help elevate the offerings,' Sheldon added. 'But I think that Miami really makes it a part of every race. It's in between runs. It's before qualifying, after. There's just so much happening around music and entertainment.' In the fourth year of the event's 20-year stay in Miami , a mix of pop and Latin acts filled the entertainment lineup to appeal to both a local and global audience. Around 275,000 people were expected to attend the three-day race weekend, Garfinkel said. About 60% of those attendees were from Florida, with a majority living in South Florida. Dutch music producer DJ Tiesto was set play at the start and finish of Sunday's race. Pitbull was headlining a concert later that evening. Other weekend performances included popular Miami-born DJ Steve Aoki and electro-dance duo Sofi Tukker. On Saturday, Lando Norris beat McLaren Racing teammate Oscar Piastri to win an eventful, rain-soaked sprint race early in the afternoon. Max Verstappen edged Norris of by .065 seconds in qualifying later that day to take the top starting spot for Sunday's race. Both races were displayed on a huge outdoor jumbotron at the beach club, which is by Turns 11, 12 and 13. Sprawling white cabanas lined the area to provide a mild escape from the sweltering South Florida heat. There's a bar in the center of the outdoor club and a pool right beside that. Later that evening, the area turned into a concert pit for Aoki's high-energy set. 'It combines all the best things of Miami,' said Stacey Mageropoulos, a Ferrari fan who drove in from the nearby city Sunrise. 'You get Formula One, but then you get the beach experiences, which everyone knows Miami for that. ... I'm at a festival while I'm at F1. It's the best of both worlds.' Music also took a front seat just outside the team garages at the track, where upbeat tunes that make up the soundtrack for this summer's 'F1' movie could be heard. The Miami Grand Prix was the first time that most people could listen to the records, which featured a range of artists from Ed Sheeran and Doja Cat to Roddy Ricch. 'I think it's great to merge the worlds,' Ricch said Saturday, his first time at an F1 event. 'You see what Travis Scott does when he goes to be with WWE, with the wrestlers. It's all different people who just love and enjoy entertainment and culture. That's always a good way to blend different worlds.' ___ AP auto racing:
