Stephen M . Ross Stephen M . Ross ( born May 10 , 1940 in Detroit , Michigan ) is an American real estate developer who lives in New York City . He is the founder and chairman of The Related Companies , L . P . , a global real estate development firm . Related is best known for developing the Time Warner Center , where Ross lives and works . A native of Miami Beach , he is the majority owner of the Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium . The University of Michigan renamed its business school the Ross School of Business in his honor after receiving a $ 100 million gift from Ross . Early life . Ross was raised in a Jewish family in Detroit and later graduated from Miami Beach Senior High . He attended the University of Florida and then transferred to the University of Michigan Business School , where he earned his bachelors degree in accounting in 1962 . He also received a Juris Doctor from the Wayne State School of Law in 1965 . He earned an LL . M . degree in Taxation from the New York University School of Law ( 1966 ) . He began his career as a tax attorney at Coopers & Lybrand in Detroit , and went on to become assistant vice president in the real estate subsidiary of Laird Inc . and in the corporate finance department of Bear Stearns , both in New York City . The Related Companies . Related Companies is one of the most prominent privately owned real estate firm in the United States . Formed 40 years ago , Related is a fully integrated , highly diversified industry leader with experience in virtually every aspect of development , acquisitions , management , finance , marketing and sales . Headquartered in New York City , Related has offices and major developments in Boston , Chicago , Los Angeles , Las Vegas , San Francisco , South Florida , Abu Dhabi and Shanghai and boasts a team of approximately 2 , 000 professionals . The Company ’ s existing portfolio of real estate assets , valued at over $ 15 billion , is made up of best - in - class mixed - use , residential , retail , office , trade show and affordable properties in premier high - barrier - to - entry markets . Related is the largest owner of luxury residential rental properties in New York with over 5 , 000 units in its portfolio and has developed preeminent mixed - use projects such as Time Warner Center in New York and CityPlace in West Palm Beach and is currently developing the 26 - acre Hudson Yards project on Manhattan ’ s west side . Related also manages approximately $ 1 . 5 billion of equity capital on behalf of sovereign wealth funds , public pension plans , multi - managers , endowments , Taft Hartley plans and family offices . Related also owns Equinox ( R ) Fitness Clubs and a partnership interest in Union Square Events , the catering , culture , sports , and events business of Danny Meyer ’ s Union Square Hospitality Group . As of 2012 his estimated net worth according to Forbes is $ 4 . 4 billion . http : / / www . forbes . com / profile / stephen - ross / Miami Dolphins . In February 2008 , Ross bought 50 percent of the Miami Dolphin franchise , Dolphin Stadium and surrounding land from then - owner Wayne Huizenga for $ 550 million , with an agreement to later become the Dolphins ' managing general partner . On January 20 , 2009 , Ross closed on the purchase of an additional 45 percent of the team from Wayne Huizenga . The total value of the deal was $ 1 . 1 billion . This means Ross is now the owner of 95 % of both the franchise and the stadium . Ross announced his intention to keep Bill Parcells as the director of football operations . Parcells later stepped down from his position shortly before the 2010 NFL season . Since buying the Dolphins , Ross has brought in Gloria Estefan , Marc Anthony , Venus Williams , and Serena Williams , as minority owners of the team . Civic and philanthropic leadership . Ross was co - chair of the University of Michigan ' s fund raising campaign , which was completed May 2007 . He is currently serving on President Mary Sue Coleman ' s Advisory Group and the Director ' s Cabinet in the University ’ s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics . In 2004 , Ross made the single largest contribution to the University of Michigan by donating $ 100 million to the school . The University renamed its business school , Ross School of Business in his honor . He was on the executive committee of NYC2012 , New York ’ s initiative to bring the summer Olympic Games to New York City in 2012 , which failed when London won instead . Mr . Ross is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Equinox Holdings , Inc . and chairperson emeritus of the Real Estate Board of New York ( REBNY ) , the city ’ s leading real estate trade association . As a member of the Board of Trustees of the Guggenheim Foundation , Mr . Ross was involved in the planning of a major renovation of the Frank Lloyd Wright iconic building in New York and other new museums . He is a trustee of New York Presbyterian Hospital , the Urban Land Institute , the NY Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International , the Levin Institute and is a director of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the World Resources Institute . He also serves on the Executive Committee and is a trustee of Lincoln Center . Honors and awards . Over the years , Mr . Ross has received numerous honors for his business , civic , and philanthropic activities . Most recently , he was named the Most Powerful Person in New York Real Estate by the New York Observer , Multi - Family Property Executive of the Year by Commercial Property News , and Housing Person of the Year by the National Housing Conference . He also received The National Building Museum Honor Award , REBNY ’ s Harry B . Helmsley Distinguished New Yorker Award and the Jack D . Weiler Award from UJA . Crain ’ s New York named Mr . Ross one of the 100 Most Influential Leaders in Business and Mr . Ross was recognized by NYC & Company with their Leadership in Tourism Award . Political views . Ross is registered Democrat . Ross was a major supporter and contributor to the 2012 presidential campaign of Mitt Romney . Family . Stephen Ross and his wife Kara , an entrepreneur and jewelry designer , reside in New York with her two daughters from a previous marriage , Avery and Drew . Stephen has two of his own children Jennifer and Kimberly from his first marriage . Stephen Ross ' uncle Max M . Fisher was a financier and philanthropist from Detroit , Michigan . The Ross ' also own a 11 , 000 sq ft oceanfront mansion on 702 N County Rd in Palm Beach that was purchased in Oct 2007 for $ 31 , 855 , 000 .