Could Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Steph Curry and Colin Kaepernick become the NFL’s first black owners?
Basketball legend Michael Jordan another of the names from sport and politics being mentioned as possible next owners of the scandal hit Carolina Panthers
Owner Jerry Richardson said he would not start the process to sell the Carolina Panthers until after the team’s season ends, but speculation is already swirling about who might be the next owners.
NFL franchises are rarely sold, and the interest among potential owners is likely to be high. The Panthers are worth an estimated US$2.3 billion, and a sale could plunge Charlotte into uncertainty, as the new owners would not be bound to stay in the city long-term.
A “tether” tying the team to Charlotte in exchange for stadium improvements funded by the city runs only through June 2019.
The Panthers have a large group of local owners who hold smaller stakes in the team, in addition to Richardson, and it is possible some of them could step up to band together and buy the team. Or the Panthers might find a totally new owner, such as local auto racing tycoon Bruton Smith and his family.
The Charlotte Chamber declined to comment on Monday. In a brief statement, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said the city would work with whoever emerges to buy the team.