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Sep 17, 2024, 01:13 PM ET
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers are extending their operating agreement with Broward County for five more years, ensuring that the team remains in the market through 2033 and likely well beyond.
County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved the revised terms, which include the Panthers giving $51.5 million to eliminate remaining debt on the county-owned arena where the team plays. The current deal runs through 2028.
The updated terms also give the county two five-year options to extend the agreement even further. If those extensions are not picked up, the county will have to return some or all of the $51.5 million debt payment to the Panthers.
“It was important to the county to keep the Panthers in Broward County long term,” Panthers president and CEO Matthew Caldwell said. “We’re excited about it. It’s a great, great step forward for our long-term future.”
What was approved Tuesday was a term sheet. Binding documents have yet to be written, though that process is expected to be relatively smooth now that this stage has been cleared. There are concessions from both sides: The county will invest $25 million annually for capital expenditures and expenses related to the operating of Amerant Bank Arena, while the team agreed to have Broward County advertising on player helmets, to continue using local businesses as vendors whenever possible and to donate at least $11.7 million over the next nine years toward local causes and promoting youth hockey.
“Public-private partnerships have to be good for both sides, and this one is,” Caldwell said.
The team recently spent well over $65 million to refurbish the War Memorial in Fort Lauderdale, east of the team’s game-night home in Sunrise, and turn that building into the franchise’s practice facility with new retail and dining options. The exact amount of what the team spent on that project isn’t known; $65 million was the budget, and all the Panthers have conceded…
Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/41301991/cup-champ-panthers-extend-lease-deal-2033
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Publish date : 2024-09-17 18:28:34
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