1991
H. Wayne Huizenga, chairman of Blockbuster Entertainment and owner of the Florida Marlins, 15 percent owner of the Miami Dolphins and half-owner of the stadium that houses both clubs, purchases the trademark to the “Florida Panthers.”
December 1992
Huizenga is awarded an NHL franchise for Miami. The entry fee is $50 million.
1993-94
During their inaugural season, the Panthers fill 94 percent of the 14,500 seats in Miami Arena.
1995-96 season
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Fans tossed rubber rats onto the ice to celebrate a playoff win last season.
Photo by: Getty Images |
On the night of the Panthers’ home opener, a rat scurries across the team’s locker room. Panther Scott Mellanby reacts by “one-timing” the rat against the wall. That night, he scores two goals, which teammates declare is “a rat trick.” Soon after, fans start a tradition of throwing rubber rats onto the ice to celebrate a goal. The team reaches the Stanley Cup Final for the first time but is swept by Colorado.
November 1996
The Panthers officially become a publicly traded company as stock in the club begins selling on the Nasdaq market under the symbol “PUCK.”
October 1998
The $185 million, 19,200-seat National Rental Car Center opens. Broward County paid for most of the arena, although the team retains the majority of the revenue generated at the facility. The arena would undergo several name changes and now is known as BB&T Center.
June 2001
A group led by Alan Cohen buys the team and arena operating rights for $101 million.
November 2009
Cliff Viner and Stu Siegel become the Panthers’ new majority owners.
April 2011
The team sells the naming rights to the home ice to automaker Lexus, the first deal of its kind in the NHL.
September 2013
A group led by Vincent Viola and Douglas Cifu buys the club for $250 million.
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Original team owner H. Wayne Huizenga (right) joined current owner Vincent Viola to drop the puck prior to a game in 2013.
Photo by: Getty Images |
December 2015
The Panthers sign a 13-year arena lease with Broward County in exchange for approximately $86 million in tourist taxes. The team sets a franchise record for most wins in a regular season (47) but loses to the New York Islanders in six games in the first round of the playoffs.
2016-17 season
The team debuts a new logo and uniforms. The Panthers’ original logo had remained almost unchanged since the team’s first season in 1993.
Source: SportsBusiness Journal research
