Dolphin Sale Would Need Rule Waived

H. Wayne Huizenga, who agreed Monday to buy the Miami Dolphins, faces uncertain prospects in trying to persuade the NFL to waive a longstanding rule against ownership of teams in other leagues.

“It’s not a slam dunk,” Huizenga acknowledged at a news conference announcing the proposed sale. The Palm Beach Post and the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale quoted unidentified sources as saying it would be for $138 million.

The rule is the biggest obstacle to league approval of the deal. Huizenga already owns baseball’s Florida Marlins and the NHL Florida Panthers and might wind up with a large percentage of stock in a company bidding to control the parent of the New York Knicks and Rangers.

“This would be a big change in the rule,” said New Orleans Saint owner Tom Benson, chairman of the NFL’s finance committee. “It’s not going to be an easy task getting that done. But I’m not saying it won’t get done, either.”

The finance committee, made up of seven NFL owners, will visit with Huizenga before submitting a recommendation to the other 21 owners. Approval by 21 of the 28 owners is required to change the rule, Benson said.