NASCAR last night issued a statement "denying a report" that Chair & CEO Brian France was "involved with a group to purchase" the NFL Panthers, according to Dustin Long of NBCSPORTS.com. Charlotte-based WCNC-NBC reported that France is "part of a group" that wants to buy the Panthers, with France "becoming the new major holder." France has been NASCAR Chair since September '03 and "admitted to asking the NFL about its ownership structure" in '05 (NBCSPORTS.com, 1/3). WCNC's Rad Berky in the initial report noted the station "learned in late December a group was being formed to purchase the team, but this is the first big name attached to it." WCNC in December also reported Hornets investor and NASCAR team co-Owner Felix Sabates was "putting a group together that hoped to buy the Panthers and keep them in Charlotte in a new domed stadium." Sabates yesterday "would not comment on France being part of the group." But sources confirmed that France was "part of the group and would be the majority owner if the deal goes through." NASCAR attendance and TV ratings have been declining, but it is "not known if that played a part in France’s interest to acquire the Panthers or if he plans to sell his stake in NASCAR to finance the deal" (WCNC.com, 1/3). ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted Richardson was "very adamant and steadfast" in saying that he was "not going put this team up for sale" until after the season. Schefter: "That season could end on Sunday and to think that there aren't groups exploring the idea would be naive. But I don't know of any names right now that are actively involved in talks, because I don't believe there are any active talks right now" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 1/4).
BANK NOTES: In Charlotte, Rick Rothacker cites local bankers as saying that the team's deal with Allen & Co. was a "good move because the firm likely has fewer conflicts of interest with potential buyers than larger banks, which could still become involved in financing any deals." One of the team’s former minority owners, the late Donald Keough, also was a former Allen & Co. Chair. But others "questioned why the Panthers did not hire the well-respected sports investment banking team at Bank of America, which has had a long relationship" with Owner Jerry Richardson and "played a key role in the financing" of the Panthers' Bank of America Stadium (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/4).
