Panthers Owner Wayne Huizenga "has told associates he
wants to sell [the team] as soon as possible and has agreed
to sell his majority interest" in SportsChannel FL to
Cablevision, according to sources of Barry Jackson of the
MIAMI HERALD. Jackson writes that Marlins Owner John Henry
and Heat Owner Micky Arison are "not interested" in the NHL
team and that Huizenga "wants to find a buyer who will keep
the team" in South FL. One source said that Huizenga "was
seeking" $175M, but it was "unclear how much of the profits
from the National Car Rental Center Huizenga would be
willing to give the person who buys the team," which could
be a "sticking point." Huizenga is selling the team because
he believes it "continues to drag down" the stock price of
the Boca Resorts public company and he "fears" player
salaries will continue to rise "as they have in" MLB due to
no salary cap in the NHL. As part of the team's lease with
Broward County, a new owner would be "prohibited" from
relocating the Panthers for 30 years (MIAMI HERALD, 11/10).
SOUTH FL GOES "PRIMETIME": Although nothing has been
announced, industry sources "confirmed" that Huizenga has
agreed to sell his 70% stake in SportsChannel FL to
Cablevision for $110M. Cablevision, which already owned the
other 30%, has a partnership with Fox Sports Net (FSN),
"which will provide programming" for SportsChannel. Because
of Cablevision's existing venture with FSN, SportsChannel
"is expected to change its name and gain rights to all of
the [FSN] programming that has been airing on Sunshine
Network." In addition, SportsChannel will broadcast its
nightly "Primetime" studio show that Sunshine "refused to
televise." SportsChannel "will end" its deal with CNN/SI,
whose studio shows are shown on the network at least 12
hours a day. Sunshine, which will lose its FSN programming,
"will compensate by emphasizing" FL-based programming, such
as its nightly news show (MIAMI HERALD, 11/10).
