H. Wayne Huizenga, Miami owner, dies

MIAMI

H. Wayne Huizenga, a college dropout who built a business empire that included Blockbuster Entertainment, AutoNation and three professional sports franchises, has died at 80.

Valerie Hinkell, a longtime assistant to Huizenga, said Friday when reached at the family residence that he died Thursday night at his home. She gave no details on cause of death.

Huizenga was founding owner of the Florida Marlins and the Florida Panthers. He bought the Miami Dolphins and their stadium for $168 million in 1994, but had sold all three teams by 2009.

The Marlins won the 1997 World Series, and the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996, but Huizenga’s beloved Dolphins never reached a Super Bowl while he owned the team.

Staff/Wire Reports