Mike Dee Leaves the Miami Dolphins for the San Diego Padres

He came, gave the team team a weird new logo, failed to get funds to upgrade the stadium, and had some Twitter beef with Billy Corben. And with that, the Mike Dee era with the Miami Dolphins is over. Dee, who has been the team's CEO since 2009, and captained...

By Chris Joseph

July 17, 2013

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He came, gave the team team a weird new logo, failed to get funds to upgrade the stadium, and had some Twitter beef with Billy Corben.

And with that, the Mike Dee era with the Miami Dolphins is over.

Dee, who has been the team's CEO since 2009, and captained the day-to-day business operations of the team, is leaving the Fins to become president and CEO of the San Diego Padres.

Dee made his announcement via his Twitter

I'm excited to announce that I'm returning to San Diego as President & CEO of the @Padres. It's not easy to make this move... (1/2)
— Mike Dee (@MikeDeeFins) July 17, 2013

at such an exciting time for the franchise, but I could not turn down this incredible opportunity to return my roots...
— Mike Dee (@MikeDeeFins) July 17, 2013

Among Dee's accomplishments as CEO for the Dolphins -- aside from not being able to get public funds for the stadium and getting into a verbal brouhaha with Florida House speaker Will Weatherford, was of course, Florida Gator Day, when the Dolphins honored members of the championship Gators team during half time of a game, which happened to star one Tim Tebow, who happened to be the starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos -- whom the Fins were playing against on that particular Sunday.

Also, team performance and overall attendance have been on the decline since Dee took over.

The Padres are getting one helluva CEO!

Team owner Stephen Ross released a statement on Dee's departure:

"I want to thank Mike Dee for his leadership over the past four years to the Miami Dolphins and wish him the best in his new position with the San Diego Padres. Under Mike, we have broadened our role in the community, improved our technology footprint within the organization and enhanced our customer service to our fans. As a result of Mike's leadership and combined with the hard work of our football operations department, I feel that the organization is well positioned for future success both on and off the field. We will begin the process immediately to bring in a new CEO and I have retained Turnkey Sports and Entertainment to lead this search. Mike will be in the office over the next several weeks as he makes the transition to his new position. We wish him and his family the very best in this new chapter of his life."

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