Related’s Ross eyes code of conduct after Dolphins scandal

Following Wels report, team owner says locker room bullying "must never happen again"

Stephen Ross
Stephen Ross

Stephen Ross, founder of Related Companies and owner of the Miami Dolphins, issued a statement late last week about player hazing by teammates of the NFL football team in response to a new report.

Ted Wels, an independent investigator for the league, recently submitted a 144-page report on allegations that offensive lineman Richie Incognito maliciously bullied teammate Jonathan Martin. Ross responded to the claims in November with plans to get “to the bottom of this issue.”

In the wake of the report, Ross said a newly formed committee – including the Dolphins coach, CEO and former players and coaches – would now begin talks to review the code of conduct. He called the behavior described in the report “deeply disturbing.”

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The team is “exploring possible legislation and a conduct pledge that would be instituted in all organized sports throughout the country to elevate the core value of respect,” Ross said in a statement.

“I have made it clear to everyone within our organization that this situation must never happen again,” he added.

In November, the Related Companies announced a $5 billion partnership with Corcoran Sunshine, the new development marketing wing of the Corcoran Group, to handle the sales of the residential component of its Hudson Yards project as well as other New York City projects, as previously reported. [ESPN]Mark Maurer