Additions such as Bobrovsky (second from l) have helped boost Panthers season-ticket holders to 7,500PANTHERS
Season ticket sales for the NHL Panthers are the "highest they've been" since the Vinnie Viola-led ownership group took over in '13 following an offseason that saw the addition of coach Joel Quenneville and Vezina Trophy-winning G Sergei Bobrovsky, according to Wells Dusenbury of the South Florida SUN SENTINEL. Panthers President & CEO Matthew Caldwell said that the team had "around roughly 7,500 season ticket holders -- up from around 3,000 when the current regime bought the franchise." Caldwell: "Season ticket holders, sponsors -- everybody is talking about us. It's just amazing. In the five years I've been here, I've never felt buzz like this." Dusenbury notes the Panthers had the NHL's second-worst attendance last year with an average of 13,261 after missing the playoffs for the third straight season. However, the team made a "sizable financial commitment this offseason" and now have the "seventh-highest payroll in the NHL." Quenneville will make a reported $5.25M per season over six years, while Bobrovsky signed a seven-year, $70M free agent contract. Caldwell said that even with a "deep playoff run the team will likely take a financial loss." Meanwhile, Dusenbury notes the Panthers have a "golden opportunity to seize the market if they start the season hot." The Dolphins and Marlins are among the "worst in their respective leagues," while the Heat "failed to make the playoffs last season and lost star Dwyane Wade to retirement" and Univ. of Miami football is off to an 0-2 start (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 9/13).
