The man who paid $125 million for 1% of the Miami Dolphins

7 May 2026 · 1 min

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The video profiles Lin Bin, co‑founder of Xiaomi and former Microsoft/Google product leader, who spent $125 million to acquire a 1% ownership stake in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. The purchase values the franchise at $12.5 billion, dramatically raising expectations for NFL team valuations. The deal was facilitated by Joe Tsai—Alibaba co‑founder, Brooklyn Nets owner, and minority Dolphins owner—who connected Lin Bin with primary owner Stephen Ross. Ross also controls Hard Rock Stadium and associated events such as the Miami Grand Prix and Miami Open, meaning Lin Bin’s investment extends into a broader sports‑entertainment ecosystem. At 80, Ross is unlikely to retain ownership indefinitely, so the minority stake could give Lin Bin preferential access to a larger future purchase. The video frames the transaction as a strategic, long‑term, high‑value asset move that resets the market for professional sports franchises.

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This tech billionaire just bought 1% of an NFL team for $125 million, and it quietly reset the market. Meet Lin Bin, co-founder of Xiaomi, one of the largest smartphone brands in the world. Before launching Xiaomi in 2010, Lin Bin built his career at Microsoft and Google, working on products that scaled to hundreds of millions of users. After Xiaomi's explosive growth across Asia, he became a billionaire and started looking for long-term, high-value assets. That led him to the Miami Dolphins. But getting into the NFL isn't easy. That's where Joe Tsai comes in. Co-founder of Alibaba Group, owner of the Brooklyn Nets, and a minority owner of the Dolphins. Through those connections, Lin Bin got access to Stephen Ross, the primary owner of the team. Here's where it gets interesting. Ross sold just 1% of the Dolphins for $125 million, valuing the franchise at $12.5 billion. That number didn't just set a price, it reset expectations for what NFL teams could be worth going forward. And the deal goes beyond football. Ross also controls Hard Rock Stadium, plus major events like the Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Open. So Lin Bin didn't just buy into a team; he bought into an entire sports and entertainment ecosystem. And here's the real play: at 80 years old, Ross won't own the team forever. That 1% stake could position Lin Bin for something much bigger in the future, potentially first access if the franchise ever goes up for sale. For more entrepreneurship stories and information like this, follow UBK.