Stephen Ross has owned the Miami Dolphins since 2008. In that time span, the Dolphins have been to the playoffs four times, but they’ve yet to win a postseason game under the current ownership group.
Of course, Ross, who has an estimated net worth of $17 billion, has several other business ventures too. It’s not just all football with this guy. Yet, one of his latest moves may have some competitive advantages built in, and one fanbase isn’t happy
Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross Sparks Spygate 2.0 Debate
As noted, Ross has several different eggs in many different baskets. Yet one area where he’s recently had some work done is San Francisco, California.
That’s where Ross had a high-rise apartment complex built, literally right across the street from Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers. This means that, given the way the apartment complex is structured, residents could peek directly into the 49ers’ practice facility.
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross recently built a high-rise apartment complex across the street from Levi’s Stadium that has a clear view into the 49ers’ practice facility. pic.twitter.com/ohA3H0ZRIN
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) August 10, 2026
On SI’s Grant Cohn suggested that the proximity of Ross’s apartment complex to the 49ers’ facility “seems problematic.”
Seems problematic.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) August 10, 2026
News of the curiously located building prompted at least one X commenter to say, “Spygate 2.0.” Of course, this refers to the time when the New England Patriots were allegedly recording the signals of their opponents, including during practice sessions.
SpyGate 2.0
— Brian (@BrianNiners46) August 10, 2026
Yet, that theory doesn’t really make sense here. The Dolphins compete in the AFC, where they only meet the 49ers once every four years. It’s not like they’re getting one over on their division rivals whom they’d see at least twice per season here. But good luck getting that message across on social media.
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Another commenter joked that Ross is “conspiring with the substation 🙂🙂.”
He’s conspiring with the substation 🙂🙂
— Right Wing Populist (@WingPopulist) August 10, 2026
It also didn’t take long for the competitive jokes to play out, including one that said the Dolphins “will still lose.”
the dolphins will still lose lol
— ashley aireonna (@ashaireonna) August 10, 2026
Yet, that same commenter also wondered, “How is this allowed?”
how is this allowed??
— ashley aireonna (@ashaireonna) August 10, 2026
She wasn’t alone in wondering about the legality of the Dolphins’ owner’s ties to the building, knowing it could give the Dolphins a competitive advantage.
“How is this allowed?! Couldn’t this lead to spying very easily?!”
How is this allowed?! Couldn’t this lead to spying very easily?!
— Catherine Molina (@CatherineM20076) August 10, 2026
Meanwhile, one commenter brutally pointed out that it’s been a while since the Dolphins won a playoff game, but their math was a bit off.
“And? They haven’t won a playoff game in like 50 years. Who cares.”
And? They haven’t won a playoff game in like 50 years. Who cares
— Let Buster Cook (@cedi_ashworth) August 10, 2026
For the record, the last time the Dolphins won a playoff game was in 2000, when Jay Fiedler was still the team’s starting quarterback.
