At the start of the 1965 season, because of its overwhelming success on the field and on television, where its NBC-TV contract assured its viability, the American Football League decided to expand.  A group in Atlanta applied for franchises in both the American Football League and the NFL.  Another group reported it had deposited earnest money for a team in the AFL.            

          Local businessmen worked out a deal and were awarded an AFL franchise on June 7, 1965, contingent upon acquiring exclusive stadium rights from city officials.  The NFL and its Commissioner Alvin Rozelle, who had been as usual been moving slowly in expansion matters, were spurred by Atlanta's interest in the AFL, and Rozelle headed on the next plane to Atlanta to block the rival league's claim on the city.  In a repeat of the Minnesota fiasco, he forced the city to make a choice between the two leagues.  By June 30, the city had picked Rankin Smith and the NFL.

        When Atlanta reneged, the American Football League awarded an AFL expansion  franchise to lawyer Joseph Robbie and actor Danny Thomas for $7.5 million, for the 1966 season.  Robbie had originally wanted to establish the franchise in Philadelphia, but AFL commissioner Joe Foss suggested Miami due to its warm climate, growing population, and lack of a Professional Football team.  Thomas would eventually sell his stake in the team to Robbie.  Ironicallly, the Dolphins became a Professional Football powerhouse, winning two Super Bowl Championships, including a perfect season, while the NFL's Atlanta team has been a perennial also-ran.