Reference of a lifetime:

After college, Darline worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC) and Ernst & Young (EY), where she focused on the corporate real estate sector. During her time with EY, she worked in the Orange County, Chicago, and Dallas offices. While in Dallas, Darline built a relationship with the VP of Finance of a client she worked closely with, whom unbeknownst to her was friends with the Treasurer of the Los Angeles Rams. At that time, a controller position opened at the Rams to which her client inquired Darline for any recommendations. It was an opportunity that merged her two loves, and she went on to earn that role in LA.  During her time at the Rams, she enrolled at UCLA and pursued an Executive MBA. Her MBA helped her get a broader view of both the business and sports worlds, which was crucial in helping her expand her knowledge beyond accounting. While at UCLA, she took Jeff Moorad’s Sports Business class and served as a teaching assistant for him the following year. During that time, Jeff was made aware of an opportunity with the Miami Dolphins and the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, which he shared with Darline and shortly after, she was off to Miami. While in Miami, Darline started as the Senior Director of Finance. After her first year with the organization, she was promoted to VP of Finance and Retail and now oversees finance, accounting, and merchandising operations across all verticals that includes the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, the Miami Open presented by Itaú and the plethora of other events the venue hosts.

Three core traits:

“I am someone who loves to work hard and take on challenges. I pride myself on my work ethic and during my career it is what has set me apart.” Darline’s focus is always on adding value and filling in the gaps. In the business world, it's essential to be a problem solver and help others overcome obstacles. This is especially true when Formula 1 came to Miami in 2022.  We can grow and develop faster by tackling challenges that others don't want to face. If you're looking to break into the sports industry, remember these three tips from Darline: first, treat every day as an opportunity to make connections; second, always present yourself in the best way possible; and third, remember that the industry is small, so building relationships with others is critical.

Changes and evolution of sports:

The world of sports is going through a significant transformation, with changes occurring across different sports. From traditional sports like football to newer ones like pickleball, the demographics of sports are evolving rapidly. One of the most notable changes in recent times is the increasing prominence of women's sports. Women's sports are quickly gaining more recognition, and their importance for the future of sports cannot be overstated. As a woman and a mother, Darline understands the importance of creating inclusive and diverse environments in sports. To achieve this, she believes it is essential to incorporate different perspectives and viewpoints. At the Dolphins, Darline emphasizes their focus on this approach and strives to embrace the changing landscape of sports. “We recognize that sports should not be limited to a single perspective, and it is essential to get different takes.” This approach will help sports organizations better understand the changing demographics of sports. By embracing these changes, the sports industry can create a more inclusive environment for all sports enthusiasts and players, regardless of gender, race, or background. 

What’s next:

Darline’s goal since starting in sports, has been to be a team CFO. To achieve this, she recognized that she would have to learn from the best in the industry and it is what led her to join the Dolphins and learn from their experienced Senior Vice President and CFO, Chris Clements, and Vice Chairman, President and CEO, Tom Garfinkel. She believes that it's important to work for people whom she admires and aspires to become like. By working under the guidance of a successful CFO and working with the wide variety of verticals within the world of sports, she hopes to gain valuable insights and skills that will help her achieve her goal of becoming a CFO herself one day.

What’s Happening in Sports

49ers-Chiefs 2024 Super Bowl LVIII odds: 49ers open as favorites.

Jim Harbaugh has become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Sherrone Moore has been named as his replacement at Michigan.

Ticket prices for this year’s Super Bowl might even make a billionaire like Taylor Swift blush with an average price of around $9,800, which is 70% higher than last season.