MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., June 4 (UPI) — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle says he doesn’t think he would have received his $84.75 million contract extension without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s help.
Waddle’s deal came as Tagovailoa continues to negotiate for his own, lucrative extension with the franchise. Tagovailoa and the entire Dolphins roster were present for the first day of mandatory minicamp Tuesday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
“Tua’s my guy,” Waddle said at the Baptist Health Training Complex. “I’ve been saying that for a long time, without Tua, I don’t think I would have gotten the extension I got.
“I know everybody’s rooting for him. He’s our guy, so it make sense to get it done.”
The Dolphins watched several key veterans bolt in free agency as they to balance their checkbook and massage finances — while securing key players — to stay within the limits of the league’s salary cap.
By paying Waddle, the franchise sent a clear message about prioritizing its offensive weaponry — potentially to the detriment of other vital positions.
Waddle ($28.2 million) and fellow Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill ($30 million) rank inside the Top 5 at the position in terms of the average annual value of their full contracts. Only five other NFL teams have two wide receivers with average annual values inside the Top 25.
Tagovailoa is expected to receive in excess of $50 million with his new pact, which he said he hopes to be completed by training camp. The fifth-year quarterback, who led the league in passing yards in 2023 and passer rating in 2022, said there has been “a lot of progress” in talks between his agents and the Dolphins.
“I’m not frustrated … another word,” Tagovailoa said Tuesday. “I just want to get something done. Not concerned, probably antsy in a way. This is the nature of the beast. This is how it goes.”
Hill, Waddle and other Dolphins playmakers said that Tagovailoa has increased his desire to get them together, outside of the team facility, to throw passes and build rapport.
Several legendary quarterbacks, including Tom Brady, previously participated in in similar gatherings en route to Hall of Fame careers.
“Tua is doing a great job of orchestrating that,” Hill said. “That’s a beautiful thing because our first year we were doing it here and there. This year, like we’re like he’s really honing in on the guys hanging out and building that camaraderie with each other.”
Hill mentioned a potential contract restructuring Tuesday, when asked about remaining a Top-5 highest-paid wide receiver amid a slew of new deals for other pass catchers. He also said his his prioritizes being a “Dolphin for life” over maximizing his personal financial interests.
The NFL’s 2023 receiving yardage leader, who frequently supported Tagovailoa publicly, also expressed his eagerness to see the quarterback finalize his extension. He said he believes Tagovailoa should be paid among the highest quarterbacks in the NFL because of his potential.
“Tua should have been paid,” Hill said. “I’ve been saying this all off-season, man I know we got a great front office with [general manager Chris Grier] and [Senior Vice President Brandon] Shore, and they are going to get it done.”
But while the Hill-Tagovailoa connection may receive the most national attention, the Dolphins’ offense often spikes when Waddle is more involved.
Miami was 6-0 during coach Mike McDaniel’s tenure when Waddle secured at least seven catches, compared to a 12-8 mark during than span when Hill had at least seven receptions.
The Dolphins also went 12-3 in games in which Waddle scored a touchdown, triggering his penguin-inspired end zone celebrations.
Waddle posted a then-rookie record 104 catches in 2021, but Tagovailoa and McDaniel helped orchestrate and offense that better capitalized on his explosiveness in 2022, when he led the NFL with 18.1 yards per catch.
Waddle said Hill’s mentorship also aided his evolution into one of the most feared playmakers in the league.
“When I first got here, there were a lot of things that needed to be cleaned up,” Hill said of Waddle. “And I was just the same way, a young pup, but very explosive, fast and can can move with some of the best.
“So just just to see him get paid just to see him, you know, get recognized as one of the top guys in his league, is awesome.
“So now his new nickname from me is ’28,’” referring to his $28.2 million salary. “Every time I see him, I say: ‘What’s up, 28?’”
MIAMI (WSVN) – There’s a new cruise ship in town, and it is almost ready to set sail.
Luna, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, welcomed people aboard for the very first time on Tuesday.
Luna is the 21st ship in the company’s fleet. From April to October, she’ll set sail from PortMiami to the Caribbean, with room for over 3,000 guests.
“We do a seven-day Caribbean cruise, it’s out of Miami, and then we do have Dominican Republic,” said Cruise Director Alvin Oliva. “After that, we visit St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Island, and then Tortola, and then we spend days at sea, and of course the prime, a lot of people are looking forward to visiting Great Stirrup Cay, which is Norwegian’s very own private island,”
On this voyage, there is plenty to do for the whole family — fom obstacle courses and games for the children, to a luxurious two-story spa.
“There is a bi-level waterfall right there; we offer a lot of different kinds of relaxation,” said Oliva.
At the Mandara Spa, guests can get hot stone and deep tissue massages, facials, body wraps and then lounge at the thermal suite, complete with relaxing steam rooms, saunas and heated loungers.
Once you’re done relaxing, guests can enjoy a drink at the poolside bar.
For those who are feeing adventurous, one of the highlights of the ship is its Aqua Slidecoaster. It’s a water slide/roller coaster hybrid, and Norweigan said it’s the fastest and longest water slide at sea.
“It was the best thing of my life, the best part of my day. It was amazing, 10 out of 10, I recommend,” said Ely, who rode the coaster.
People have traveled from all over to Miami to get on the new ship.
“We love it. I’s so clean, it’s so chic, our room looks amazing,” said Christina Guttuso.
“We’re excited, we’re ready to go,” said Nick Mangiaracina.
It’s a busy spring break, but well worth it for these cruisers.
“Go cruising. Even if you’re from Minnesota like me, it’s worthwhile,” said Justin Sunbrig.
The Luna’s maiden seven-day voyage is scheduled to set sail out of PortMiami on April 4.
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A longtime Miami-Dade physical education teacher is working to rebuild his life after a fire destroyed the only home he has known for decades.
Edward Brown Jr., who spent 35 years teaching physical education and mentoring students, lost his home to a fire last week. Flames tore through the house, leaving it uninhabitable and forcing Brown to move in with his adult son.
“It’s hard not to think about it,” Brown said. “Even if I’m not there, I think about what was burned. But I know that’s material stuff. It can be replaced.”
Rebuilding, however, will not be easy. Brown said he does not have homeowners’ insurance to help cover the costs. He paid off the home last year and decided not to renew his insurance policy because of rising costs on a fixed income.
“Just like in life, it’s a chance you take,” Brown said. “I knew before I made the final decision. I didn’t do it in haste.”
Now, the financial burden of rebuilding falls largely on Brown and the community he has supported for years. Known by neighbors as someone who was always willing to help, Brown has received an outpouring of support in the days following the fire. Friends, former colleagues, and community members have dropped off care packages and shared words of encouragement.
An online fundraiser has also been launched by Brown’s family and friends to help cover rebuilding expenses. When told about the effort, Brown became emotional, pausing before expressing his gratitude. He said the support he has received has helped him stay focused on moving forward.
Brown acknowledged the road ahead will be challenging but said he remains hopeful. “I think about it,” he said. “But I need some help. I can tell you that.”
Those hoping to support Brown’s recovery can find information about the fundraiser through family and community organizers.
24-year-old Italian tennis superstar Jannik Sinner is set to face 28-year-old United States tennis star Frances Tiafoe (who is the No. 20-ranked player in the world right now, according to the ATP) in the Quarterfinal of the 2026 Miami Open on Thursday.
The stakes are high for both men. While Tiafoe finding a way to defeat Sinner (who is the No. 2-ranked player, only behind Carlos Alcaraz) would likely make for the biggest victory of his career to this point, both men will still have to win two more games before being crowned the Miami Open champion. The winner of this match will face the winner of Alexander Zverev and Francisco Cerundolo, who also face off on March 26.
Both Sinner and Tiafoe have influencer girlfriends. Tiafoe has been dating Canadian former professional tennis player turned social media influencer Ayan Broomfield, who follows him to his various tennis tournaments and is always a vocal supporter in the stands.
Sinner has been dating Danish model and influencer Laila Hasanovic since at least the summer of 2025, although there’s no official indication of when their relationship began. What’s for sure is that Sinner and Hasanovic brought their dog, Snoopy, to the ATP Tennis Finals in Turin, Italy, last November, which made for several wholesome photos of the trio.
While Hasanovic was present at that tournament last year, she hasn’t been at the Indian Wells Open in California earlier this month, nor the Miami Open.
The reason for this is surely because these events are across the Atlantic Ocean, and Hasanovic has pressing matters to attend to in her own life.
One example of what Hasanovic has going on is her NRD55 brand, which is a line of skin care and self-tanning products that she has created.
Hasanovic typically relies on herself to promote her new company. An example of this came on March 26, when the @nrd.55 account posted several photos of Hasanovic posing with a new product. She can be seen wearing a black sports bro and applying the product in several different places on her body.
Hasanovic posted this to her Instagram story on Thursday morning, showing that she’s behind the beauty product.
While she might not be there in person, one would imagine that Hasanovic will be watching her boyfriend compete against Tiafoe on TV.
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