Ex-Dolphins CEO Mike Dee becomes president of San Diego Padres

MIAMI -- Mike Dee is going back to his roots.

Dee has agreed to become president and CEO of the San Diego Padres, returning to baseball after four years as CEO of the Miami Dolphins.

The move was announced Wednesday by Dee and the teams. The Dolphins said Dee would remain with them for "the next several weeks" while he prepares for the transition to his new role and a return to the franchise with whom he started his career as a sports executive in 1995.

"The prospect to return to lead a franchise where I began my career in sports and in a city that means so much to my family is one I couldn't pass up," Dee said. "I will always consider my time with the Miami Dolphins and in South Florida as one of the most rewarding periods in my life and I wish the team the best as I look forward to my new endeavor."

Dee was CEO of the Dolphins and their home Sun Life Stadium since 2009, and his job change comes about two months after the team was denied public money for a stadium upgrade by Florida's legislature. That decision by lawmakers eliminated any realistic chance that the Dolphins had of playing host to Super Bowl 50 and Super Bowl 51, and South Florida's bids for those games were eventually proven futile.

In a statement released by the Dolphins, owner Stephen Ross - who said he could not foot the entire bill for the planned upgrades - wished Dee well.

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