FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins fans waiting for the 30-day window on Bill Parcells' opt-out clause to expire can put away the calendar.

Before finalizing last month's sale of the Dolphins to New York real estate developer Stephen M. Ross, outgoing owner H. Wayne Huizenga removed the 30-day window on Parcells' opt-out clause, a source said.

The clause would have allowed Parcells to leave the franchise with his full salary when majority ownership of the team changed. Instead, the 67-year-old Parcells can walk away with his full salary at any point within the next three seasons. But the source said Parcells has committed to staying through the 2009 season.

According to an ESPN report, Huizenga communicated the contractual change to Ross, who did not protest. The report said if Parcells exercises his new opt-out clause, taking the balance of the four-year, $12 million contract he initially signed in December 2007, he can leave without any restrictions. That means any team that lures one of the NFL's most nomadic figures wouldn't owe the Dolphins compensation.

Calls to Parcells and his representatives were not returned, and Dolphins officials had no comment.

Parcells previously stressed part of the reason he joined the Dolphins instead of accepting a similar offer from Atlanta was because of his desire to work with Huizenga, whom he viewed as a first-class owner.

At last month's Senior Bowl, Parcells admitted he doesn't have much of a working relationship with Ross, who bought 50 percent of the franchise, Dolphin Stadium and the surrounding land for $550 million last year, and closed on the purchase of an additional 45 percent last month.

Ross met with Parcells, General Manager Jeff Ireland and coach Tony Sparano on Jan. 23, two days after gaining majority control, and all parties seemed pleased about the direction the franchise was headed.