Dolphins' deal with Williams sisters announced

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Serena and Venus Williams enjoyed a firsthand look at their favorite NFL team Tuesday.

The tennis-playing sisters paid a visit to the Miami Dolphins' complex as the latest celebrities to own a small stake in the franchise. Their deal, first reported last week, was confirmed at a news conference overlooking the Dolphins' practice field.

The Williams sisters watched practice and met quarterback Chad Pennington and linebackers Jason Taylor and Joey Porter.

The sisters live in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., about an hour's drive from the Dolphins' stadium. Their new role is significant in part because the NFL has no African-American majority team owner.

Musicians Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Marc Anthony recently bought small shares of the team. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross also forged a partnership with singer Jimmy Buffett. The Estefans are the first Cuban Americans to hold an ownership stake in an NFL team. Anthony is a New York native of Puerto Rican descent.

The Dolphins have said the involvement of the celebrities reflects the diversity of South Florida and shows that the franchise is connected with the community.

Serena has won 11 major titles and Venus seven. They staged their latest sibling showdown last month at Wimbledon, where Serena beat Venus in the final, and will play in the U.S. Open beginning next week.

Ross, a New York real estate billionaire, completed his purchase of the Dolphins from Wayne Huizenga in January and began a partnership in May with Buffett. The agreement with the Estefans was announced in June, followed by the deal with Anthony last month.

Buffett and the Estefans are longtime Dolphins fans. The Williams sisters said they root for the Dolphins, and Serena dated former NFL players LaVar Arrington and Keyshawn Johnson.

Ross has said the minority owners are strategic partners and aren't being brought aboard because of a financial need.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)