MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins owner Steve Ross has an image problem, and it can’t be solved by words or actions. Ross’ problem can only be solved by winning.

There’s a perception by a large number of Dolphins fans that Ross prioritizes the Miami Grand Prix (Formula 1 race) and the Miami Open (tennis), two thriving international sporting events, over the Miami Dolphins.

Make no mistake, Ross, the franchise’s principal owner since 2009, wants to win badly with the Dolphins. He’s demonstrated that with both actions and words.

But the negative perception of Ross is reinforced when there’s news such as the Dolphins recently saying they’re currently out of the Super Bowl rotation because the NFL told them that they no longer have space to host Super Bowl hospitality events because of F1 and tennis structures on the Hard Rock Stadium campus.

On the surface, being out of the running for Super Bowls is crushing news.

In truth, I’m not worried about the Super Bowls one bit.

They’ll return.

The NFL wants Super Bowls here, and South Florida wants them here. They’ll find a way. Guaranteed. Dolphins executive Daniel Sillman expressed a similar opinion.

In the meantime, however, Ross’ image takes another big hit with this Super Bowl news.

Here’s the reality, if Ross doesn’t win with the Dolphins, and soon, he’ll never be able to convince fans that the Dolphins are a priority in his growing sports empire. As a result, the Dolphins will continue losing the younger generation, the fans in their 20s and 30s who have never seen this franchise win a playoff game.

You can see how that could be problematic, especially at a time when the Dolphins have gained a measure of momentum.

It’d be nice if Dolphins management (Ross, Sillman, president Tom Garfinkel, advisor Troy Aikman) spoke directly to the fans and offered reassurance that the NFL/Dolphins are a top priority to Ross.

And by the “fans,” I guess I mean speaking to the media and fielding questions from the media. It’d be ideal if management fielded unscreened questions from fans via Zoom, but back to reality ...

I’m not sure what Dolphins management could say to soothe/reassure fans.

But paying direct attention to the situation might help.

Yes, Ross wants to win with the Dolphins.

He demonstrated that with words.

One of the first things he said at the introductory press conference for general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley in January expressed that he’s not happy with the Dolphins’ losing ways.

The third sentence out of his mouth, after introducing himself and saying he’s excited about the future was, “I know many of you are all frustrated over the last few years with the performance of the team, but I’ve got to tell you, I am equally frustrated.”

He’s also demonstrated that he wants to win by his actions.

Ross has made big, sweeping changes, starting with listening to “new” management voices such as Sillman and Aikman, which led to hiring Sullivan and Hafley, who brought in quarterback Malik Willis.

Fans must realize that the ability to host a Super Bowl at Hard Rock has absolutely nothing to do with Ross’ commitment to building a Super Bowl champion with the Dolphins.

The Super Bowl is South Florida’s link to America’s biggest sporting event.

South Florida has hosted 11 Super Bowls, tied with New Orleans for the most ever. South Florida hasn’t hosted a Super Bowl since 2020, and, now, none appears imminent.

Again, that problem will be solved.

South Florida was hosting Super Bowls before Ross, it has hosted Super Bowls with Ross, and it’ll host them after Ross.

The Super Bowl is a fixture in South Florida. It’s been a fixture at Hard Rock Stadium after its run at the Orange Bowl.

The new kids on the Hard Rock block are F1 and tennis, which are big-time money makers.

As my colleague, Dave Hyde, once framed the discussion, “Would you rather have F1 and tennis every year, or a Super Bowl every, say, seven years?”

I think it’s fair to say that more South Florida residents are Super Bowl/football fans than F1 and tennis fans — combined.

That’s why if Ross doesn’t win with the Dolphins soon, there’ll be little anyone can say or do to combat that image problem.