Pro Football HOFer and former 49ers Owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. is "exploring the possibility of putting together a group to purchase the Panthers," according to ESPN's Jim Trotter. But he will "have competition if he goes forward" (TWITTER.com, 12/18). DeBartolo in a statement said he is "going to respect Jerry Richardson's wish to not discuss the sale of the Carolina Panthers until after their season is over" (TWITTER.com, 12/18). PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio notes the mood toward DeBartolo has "changed dramatically since he walked away in disgrace" in '98, ceding control of the 49ers amidst an extortion case. Now, he apparently could be "walking back in as another owner walks away in disgrace" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 12/19).
OTHER POSSIBLE SUITORS: Hornets investor Felix Sabates said of potential buyers, "I’m sure there are going to be people coming out of the woodwork. The team’s going to be sold to the highest bidder, and that’s the way life works." In Charlotte, Peralta, Portillo & Rothacker in a front-page piece note the Panthers’ minority owners are some of Charlotte’s "best-known -- and wealthiest -- figures," including real estate magnate Smoky Bissell, Quail Hollow Club President Johnny Harris, philanthropist and Family Dollar Founder Leon Levine and members of the Belk family. SMI Exec Chair Bruton Smith and President & CEO Marcus Smith have both "expressed interest in eventually buying the Panthers." Michael Jordan, as a major league sports owner in Charlotte with "deep pockets, could potentially be involved in any bids for the Panthers, though he hasn’t publicly expressed any desire to buy the team" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/19).
PICKING AND CHOOSING: ESPN's Chris Mortensen said the NFL actually has a "pool of prospective buyers, whether that prospective buyer makes a bid for the Panthers remains to be seen" ("Monday Night Countdown," ESPN, 12/18). NBC Sports Bay Area's Ray Ratto said, "If we know one thing about the NFL and the people they like, they like billionaires. ... They want old-time people they can rely on who will be part of the group and not create waves." Rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs went on Twitter this weekend saying he wanted to buy the team and add Colin Kaepernick, and Ratto said they would "come in and make waves," but the NFL "doesn't want waves made." But NBC Sports Bay Area's Greg Papa said he could see Warriors G Stephen Curry, a N.C. native, "becoming a minority owner" if someone else put up "all the money" ("The Happy Hour," NBC Sports Bay Area, 12/18). Meanwhile, FS1's Colin Cowherd said if he was an owner, "I would sell now. I think the league's peaked." Cowherd: "Trees don't grow to the sky" ("Speak For Yourself," FS1, 12/18). PFT's Florio said the team is "going to get what someone pays for it." Florio: "The highest bidder will get it. It doesn't matter what Forbes values it at" ("PFT," NBCSN, 12/19).
THIS SHARK IS OUT: In Dallas, Brad Townsend notes Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban has been "prominently mentioned" as someone who could potentially purchase the Panthers. But Cuban said he is "not interested at all in any NFL franchise." Cuban: "Why would I buy an NFL team if I think the league is in decline?" He added, "I love the Mavs. I love Dallas. I mean, Charlotte's a great city, but there's nothing I don't like here -- other than losing right now. I would never turn my back on the city of Dallas." More Cuban: "What am I going to say to my son and his friends or my daughter and her friends: 'Oh, yeah: Football's dangerous for you, but I bought a football team.' I know I'm a hypocrite from time to time, but I really, really, really try not to be" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/19).
