((HT: The Star/McGran))The Florida Panthers should have new owners by the time the 2009-10 season begins.
Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. – a group linked earlier to potential bidders to the Phoenix Coyotes – have put a $240 million (U.S.) offer on the table to purchase the Panthers, the Star has learned.
Harry Zlokower, spokesman for the publicly traded company, declined comment, as did Bill Daly, deputy commissioner of the NHL.
The deal would include not only the NHL team, but also the BankAtlantic Centre, an arena management company and land surrounding the arena, according to Reuters.
The deal requires approval from 75 per cent of the NHL's 30 owners.
A source told the Star the Panthers deal in no way effects the bankruptcy sale of the Coyotes. Chicago sports magnate Jerry Reinsdorf had been interested in purchasing the Coyotes and keeping them in Phoenix in a deal believed to be worth $130 million (U.S.) prior to the team filing for bankruptcy.
Reinsdorf had aligned himself with Tony Tavares, the former Montreal Expos president who is president of the Sports Properties Acquisition Corp., a new company whose sole purpose was to purchase sports teams.
Sports Properties has previously bid on the Chicago Cubs and has looked at other sports properties.The group also includes Hank Aaron, Andrew Murstein, a New York City taxi tycoon; former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo; and Richard Mack, a senior partner at Apollo Real Estate Advisors.
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