South FL sports mogul Wayne Huizenga expects the Panthers to
stay in the area and is weighing three different offers from
investors who will not move the club, according to the MIAMI
HERALD. Local businessmen Bruce Frey and Bud Paxson, Dallas
businessman John Spano and an undisclosed group are all
interested in the team. The Frey/Paxson group has made an offer
that the HERALD reports is "an all-cash" deal with "no unusual
restrictions" -- but Huizenga "did not speak well" of their bid.
Broward County officials trying to negotiate an arena lease with
the team cannot begin until the Panthers' ownership situation is
settled. Also, there could be potential problems with Broward's
offers to the Heat and Panthers. The county's preliminary
agreement with the NBA club is different than the one negotiated
with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. The Heat's letter of intent
calls for equal arena revenue sharing, while Bettman negotiated
an additional $2M for the Panthers based on a state tax break
(Jackson & Rafinski, MIAMI HERALD, 3/12).
