View source for Joe Robbie

{{Short description|American attorney and politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox politician
|name        = Joe Robbie
|image       = JoeRobbie1 (cropped).jpg
|birth_date  = {{birth date|1916|7|7}}
|birth_place = [[Sisseton, South Dakota]], U.S.
|death_date  = {{death date and age|1990|1|7|1916|7|17}}
|death_place = [[Coral Gables, Florida]], U.S.
|party       = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|spouse      = Elizabeth (1942–1990)
|children    = 11
|education   = [[Northern State University]]<br>[[University of South Dakota]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]])
}}
'''Joseph Robbie''' (July 7, 1916 – January 7, 1990) was an American attorney, politician, and the principal founder of the [[Miami Dolphins]].

==Early life==
Robbie was raised in [[Sisseton, South Dakota]], the second of five children. His father was a [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] immigrant and restaurant manager; his mother was a [[baker]] and the daughter of [[Irish people|Irish]] immigrants.<ref name=lynch>{{cite news|last1=Lynch|first1=Ray|title=A Man Of Perfection Joe Robbie Had A Fire That Warmed Many And Burned A Few, Says Danny Thomas.|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-01-09/news/9001180251_1_joe-robbie-black-middle-class-neighborhood-black-hills|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725013739/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1990-01-09/news/9001180251_1_joe-robbie-black-middle-class-neighborhood-black-hills|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 25, 2015|access-date=July 24, 2015|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=January 9, 1990}}</ref> He was raised [[Catholic]].<ref name=opens />

At 14 years old, Robbie was the [[sportswriter]] for his local newspaper, ''The People's Press''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Michael|title=The Super Bowl that tore the Robbie family apart|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2015/11/24/miami-dolphins-super-bowl-joe-robbie-stadium|access-date=August 20, 2017|work=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=November 23, 2015}}</ref> In 1934, during the [[Great Depression]], Robbie dropped out of high school to work as a [[lumberjack]] for the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] in the [[Black Hills]], sending $25 of his $30 monthly earnings home to his family. After completing his high school education in 1936, Robbie enrolled at [[Northern State University|Northern State Teachers College]] on a debating scholarship.<ref name=lynch /> After three years, he transferred to the [[University of South Dakota]].<ref name=opens>{{cite news|last1=Connelly|first1=Michael|last2=Hill|first2=Bob|title=A Dream Fulfilled Joe Robbie Was Told By Many People That There Was No Way He Would Be Able To Build A Stadium For His Professional Football Team. Joe Robbie Stadium Opens Tonight.|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-08-16/specialsection/8703070898_1_new-stadium-joe-robbie-stadium-dolphins-football|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725011733/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-08-16/specialsection/8703070898_1_new-stadium-joe-robbie-stadium-dolphins-football|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 25, 2015|access-date=July 24, 2015|publisher=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=August 16, 1987}}</ref> Robbie met his future wife, Elizabeth, while he was a senior at the school and she was a freshman. The couple were married two years later.<ref name=lynch />

Robbie enlisted in the [[United States Navy|Navy]] on the day after the Japanese [[attack on Pearl Harbor]]. Robbie saw substantial action in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific theater]] and was awarded a [[Bronze Star]] for his service. After his discharge, he used the [[G.I. Bill]] to return to [[University of South Dakota School of Law]] as a law student.<ref name=lynch />

==Politics==
Following his graduation from law school, Robbie worked as a [[State's attorney#Assistant or deputy state's attorneys|deputy state's attorney]] and a professor of [[economics]] at [[Dakota Wesleyan University]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Joseph Robbie, Jr., Will Address Carroll Students|url=http://www.smokershistory.com/Robbie.htm|access-date=July 24, 2015|publisher=[[Independent Record]]|date=May 11, 1952|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128140431/http://www.smokershistory.com/Robbie.htm|archive-date=January 28, 2020}}</ref> In 1948, at 33 years old, Robbie entered politics. He was elected to the [[South Dakota House of Representatives]] as a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]].<ref name=lynch /> In 1950, he ran for [[Governor of South Dakota]] but lost to [[Sigurd Anderson]].<ref name=opens /> The following year, Robbie and his family moved to [[Minneapolis]] at the encouragement of then-mayor [[Hubert H. Humphrey]].<ref name=lynch />

His political and business careers further developed in Minnesota. In addition to operating his own law firm, Robbie served as regional counsel for the [[Office of Price Stabilization]] in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.<ref>{{cite news|title=Grocery Price Test in Fargo Held Success|url=http://www.smokershistory.com/Robbie.htm|access-date=July 24, 2015|publisher=[[Austin Daily Herald]]|date=February 11, 1952|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128140431/http://www.smokershistory.com/Robbie.htm|archive-date=January 28, 2020}}</ref> He was also a charter member of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Commission and chairman of the Minnesota Municipal Commission.<ref name=jones>{{cite journal |last=Millman |first=Joel |date=December 1986 |title=Miami Blitz |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q-cDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22joe+robbie%22+northern+state+teachers+college&pg=PT23 |journal=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |access-date=July 24, 2015 }}</ref> In addition to working on Humphrey's political campaigns, Robbie represented [[Minnesota's 5th congressional district]] at the [[1960 Democratic National Convention]].<ref name=opens /><ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota Delegation to the 1960 Democratic National Convention|url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/parties/D/1960/MN.html|website=PoliticalGraveyard.com|publisher=[[The Political Graveyard]]|access-date=July 24, 2015}}</ref>

Robbie also worked as a [[lobbyist]] for the [[tobacco industry]] from the 1960s until his death. In 1963, he appeared before the [[United States Senate]] to voice opposition to a bill which would have regulated [[tobacco advertising]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Cigarette Ad Ban Bill Favored|url=http://www.smokershistory.com/Robbie.htm|access-date=July 24, 2015|publisher=[[Albert Lea Tribune]]|date=April 11, 1963|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128140431/http://www.smokershistory.com/Robbie.htm|archive-date=January 28, 2020}}</ref> From 1971 until 1989, he was the head of the  Minnesota Candy & Tobacco Distributors Association.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Joseph Robbie Page|url=http://www.smokershistory.com/Robbie.htm|website=Smokers History|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128140431/http://www.smokershistory.com/Robbie.htm|access-date=July 24, 2015|archive-date=January 28, 2020}}</ref>

==Professional sports==
After moving to Minneapolis, Robbie took an interest in [[Professional football (gridiron)|professional football]] and became a [[Minnesota Vikings]] [[season ticket]] holder.<ref name="pbp">{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Dave |date=September 5, 2015 |title=Joe Robbie's political, Hollywood ties helped secure Dolphins franchise |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/football/joe-robbie-political-hollywood-ties-helped-secure-dolphins-franchise/VmgWfUnChyfRqItNbzdN9O/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821002104/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/football/joe-robbie-political-hollywood-ties-helped-secure-dolphins-franchise/VmgWfUnChyfRqItNbzdN9O/ |archive-date=2017-08-21 |access-date=August 20, 2017 |work=[[Palm Beach Post]]}}</ref>

In March 1965, [[Joe Foss]], the commissioner of the [[American Football League]], met with Robbie in [[Washington, D.C.]] Foss had attended the University of South Dakota, later serving in the Marine Corps and being awarded the Medal of Honor.

At the meeting, Foss recommended that Robbie look into [[Miami]] as a potential site for an [[expansion franchise]]. Robbie formed a partnership with comedian [[Danny Thomas]], a fellow [[Lebanese-American]], and raised the $7.5 million required to purchase an expansion team.<ref name=lynch />

The Dolphins' stadium was officially called [[Hard Rock Stadium|Joe Robbie Stadium]] from its opening in 1987 until 1996. It has undergone a series of [[Hard Rock Stadium#Naming rights|name changes]] since, and it is currently known as [[Hard Rock Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Chicago Tribune {{!}} Chicago |date=1989-01-22 |title=ROBBIE`S BRAINCHILD NOW STANDS AS HIS MONUMENT |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/01/22/robbies-brainchild-now-stands-as-his-monument/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>

Robbie had a small part playing himself in the film ''[[Black Sunday (1977 film)|Black Sunday]]'', in which he is interviewed about security for [[Super Bowl X]] (1976).<ref>{{cite web|author=Movieclips|via=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZnhCcj4sXg&t=0m35s|title=Black Sunday (5/8) Movie CLIP - What Exactly Is This Super Bowl? (1977) HD|date=May 2, 2012|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref>

Robbie also owned the [[Miami Toros]] and the [[Fort Lauderdale Strikers (1977–83)|Fort Lauderdale Strikers]] (later the [[Minnesota Strikers]]) [[soccer]] teams of the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]]. Joe Robbie Stadium was one of the first major stadiums in the U.S. designed with soccer in mind., and was also designed to be easily reconfigured for baseball.

Robbie also believed that given Miami's rapid growth, it was a foregone conclusion that Miami would have a [[Major League Baseball]] team: this was proven correct when the city was granted a franchise, the Florida Marlins (now the [[Miami Marlins]]), in 1990, two months after Robbie's death.

==Honors and awards==
For his contributions to the Miami Dolphins, and being the founder of the team, Joe Robbie became the inaugural inductee on the [[Miami Dolphins Honor Roll]] on September 16, 1990 (eight months after his death).

==References==
{{reflist|40em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite news|author=AP|via=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/09/obituaries/joe-robbie-73-nfl-owner-who-founded-miami-dolphins.html|title=Joe Robbie, 73, N.F.L. Owner Who Founded Miami Dolphins|date=January 9, 1990|access-date=January 3, 2017}}
* {{cite news|first=Chris|last=Lazzarino|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-11-06/news/9102150070_1_elizabeth-robbie-dan-robbie-dolphins-founder|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228133738/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-11-06/news/9102150070_1_elizabeth-robbie-dan-robbie-dolphins-founder|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 28, 2013|title=Elizabeth Robbie, Widow Of Founder Of Miami Dolphins|date=November 6, 1991|access-date=January 3, 2017}}
* {{cite news|first=Michael|last=Rosenberg|work=[[Sports Illustrated]]|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2015/11/24/miami-dolphins-super-bowl-joe-robbie-stadium|title=The Super Bowl that tore a family apart, forever changed stadium deals|date=November 23, 2015|access-date=January 3, 2017}}

==External links==
* {{find a Grave|9203698}}

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{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=Harold Volz}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[Governor of South Dakota]]|years=[[1950 South Dakota gubernatorial election|1950]]}}
{{s-aft|after=Sherman Iverson}}
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{{s-bus}}
{{s-new|first}}
{{s-ttl|title=Principal Owner of the [[Miami Dolphins]]|years=1966–1990}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Wayne Huizenga]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Miami Dolphins}}
{{Miami Dolphins general manager navbox}}
{{Miami Dolphins president navbox}}
{{DolphinsOwner}}
{{DolphinsHonorRoll}}
{{National Soccer Hall of Fame members}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robbie, Joe}}
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:1990 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:American lobbyists]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Lebanese descent]]
[[Category:American soccer chairmen and investors]]
[[Category:Civilian Conservation Corps people]]
[[Category:Dakota Wesleyan University faculty]]
[[Category:Members of the South Dakota House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Miami Dolphins owners]]
[[Category:Minnesota Democrats]]
[[Category:Minnesota lawyers]]
[[Category:National Soccer Hall of Fame members]]
[[Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) executives]]
[[Category:People from Sisseton, South Dakota]]
[[Category:Politicians from Minneapolis]]
[[Category:South Dakota Democrats]]
[[Category:South Dakota lawyers]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:University of South Dakota School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the South Dakota Legislature]]