A sale of the Panthers for more than $2B "is likely and should be completed by the start of next season," according to sources cited by Jason La Canfora of CBSSPORTS.com. Some observers have projected the team could go for $2.5B, but sources said that an amount that high is "exaggerated." However, the sources said that Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson "is intent on selling and the process will move quickly ... and could include some of the team's minority owners." La Canfora reported there are "no lack of interested parties" in the team, including "several minority owners from other NFL clubs." The NFL league office "will have a more limited role in this sale," and Richardson "does not have to accept the highest bidder and does not have to sell to whomever the league office might prefer." There has been plenty of talk about Sean "Diddy" Combs looking at buying the team, but no one "who has even a remote [connection] to Richardson envisioned that scenario" (CBSSPORTS.com, 12/24). In Phoenix, Greg Moore wrote the NFL "should pay attention now" that Combs says he "wants to purchase" the Panthers. If he could pull it off, Combs would "become the only African-American majority owner in the NFL," a league where 70% of the players are black. His "racial experiences, unique in this environment, could lend insight on any number of issues that the league doesn’t currently have in its ownership ranks" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 12/24).
CURRY "SERIOUS" ABOUT BUYING STAKE: Warriors G Stephen Curry said he is "really serious" about being part of the group that buys the Panthers from Richardson. Curry, who grew up in Charlotte, said, "It’s such a unique opportunity to impact my hometown. It’s a kind of unprecedented and very unique situation, and knowing the kind of storylines around the NFL right now, maybe having a hand in that. We’ll see how that plays out” (ESPN.com, 12/25). THE MMQB's Peter King writes, "I can’t imagine a better part-owner of the Carolina Panthers than Steph Curry." He "loves the Panthers, he loves the Carolinas, he loves football." King: "When Jerrry Richardson sells the team, I hope Curry is involved" (SI.com, 12/26). In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell noted Curry "certainly has the money to invest." He signed a "record-setting five-year extension" with the Warriors this summer worth more than $200M. He also has a "wide range of endorsements, most prominently shoes and apparel with Under Armour" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/24).
DAMAGED IMAGE: In Charlotte, Morrill & Gordon in a front-page piece reported the image that Richardson had so "methodically built and carefully guarded crashed amid accusations of inappropriate behavior, secret settlements and a racial slur" in just 48 hours. Former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot said, "There will be an awful lot of good things that he’s done. But these other things are certainly going to cloud that legacy. For most people the bad will be much easier to remember than the good." Morrill & Gordon noted it has been a "stunning fall for a man who rose so high." The man "obsessed with control found himself buffeted by stories and social media posts he was powerless to stop" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/24). NFL Exec VP/Communications Joe Lockhart last week "denied that the league put any pressure" on Richardson to sell the team. But in Boston, Ben Volin noted the fact is that just "days after a bombshell Sports Illustrated report put a spotlight on allegations of sexual and racial abuse against Richardson, he swiftly decided the sell" his 48% share of the franchise and "get out of the NFL altogether." Volin: "This from a man who for more than 20 years sat on the league’s most important committees, and was so devoted to the NFL that he is the only owner who paints the NFL shield at midfield instead of his team’s logo" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/24).
LET ME TAKE A LONG, LAST LOOK: In Charlotte, Scott Fowler reported Richardson "showed up and sat in his normal spot in his end-zone suite" during Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. It is "conceivable that will be the last home game Richardson ever attends as the Panthers’ owner," as the team "plays on the road next week and will likely be on the road during the playoffs as well" (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 12/24). Meanwhile, Panthers coach Ron Rivera "decided to lead the team in a 'Mr. Richardson' chant following the team's win." In a video posted on the Panthers' website, Rivera said, "Just remember guys, this is about team. Everything we do is about team. Most important thing is about team, okay? Alright, do me a favor, Mr. Richardson on three. One, two three." The team then in unison yells, "Mr. Richardson!" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 12/24).
FOCUSED ON THE FIELD: NFL.com's Ian Rapoport cited sources as saying that the Panthers "want to ... extend" Rivera's contract, which is set to expire after the '18 season. The team's front office "agrees that stability is needed on the football side" while the sale is ongoing. Meanwhile, many team personnel hope interim GM Marty Hurney "stays on" in a permanent role. But the Panthers will "have to go through the process and comply with the Rooney Rule before" they can formally elevate Hurney (NFL.com, 12/24).
