Owner Alan Cohen has been trying to sell the franchise but also would be receptive to adding a minority owner with a substantial stake and has had advanced discussions with at least one local businessman.
Cohen wanted to complete the sale to Sports Properties, but the NHL recently balked because the buyer, a public company, does not have a primary investor with a substantial equity stake. Sports Properties hoped to buy the team through money raised from an initial public offering in 2008, but the league wants any new ownership group to have a go-to person who has the willingness and resources to finance expenses.
As part of the deal, Cohen and the Panthers' minority owners would have received stock in the public company.
One official said it's possible the deal could be revived if the terms are changed to accommodate the NHL, but the Panthers are not optimistic that will happen and instead have been focusing on adding a partner who could relieve some of the financial burden on Cohen. The Panthers' ownership group has lost more than $100 million since Cohen bought the team in 2001. Cohen has declined to comment on ownership issues.
To see more of The Miami Herald or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.herald.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The Miami Herald Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

More News:
Market Updates |
Stock Alerts |
All Trading News |
Stock Index