When word broke of the Panthers going up for sale, Sean “Diddy” Combs rushed to put his name in the conversation. Those close to the rapper turned business mogul say that this is not a publicity stunt. He’s also intent on looping quarterback Colin Kaepernick into the ownership group. 
“The interest is real and it’s moving forward,” a source said of Combs and Kaepernick working together (via Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports). “They want to make this a reality. It’s serious.”
Some very real questions remain about whether Combs has enough financial capital to make a play for the Panthers. As Robinson notes, the most recent Forbes evaluation put the value of the franchise at $2.3 billion. Typically, teams in the major three North American sports will sell for even more than their evaluations, so a 100% sale of the Panthers could be in the range of $2.5 billion. Buying Jerry Richardson‘s 48% stake in the team could cost about $1.2 billion, which is more than Diddy’s projected net worth of $820MM.
Kaepernick, of course, does not have the kind of cash needed to own a large chunk of an NFL team, but he could theoretically be a minority owner in the group and gain additional equity by reeling in bigger fish. A source close to the QB tells Robinson that he has already begun reaching out to “business leaders, venture capitalists, and sports icons” who could bring the big bucks. Overall, Combs and Kaepernick envision a group that is about 70% black to more closely reflect the makeup of the league’s players.
If Diddy is intent on positioning himself as the largest shareholder of the group, he could face some pushback from NFL owners. Typically, the league prefers owners who can make the purchase with mostly cash. They also prefer an ownership group is not overly fractured.
For what it’s worth, Diddy may have the support of Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
“I’m a big fan of Diddy,” Kraft told TMZ this week. “You ask him. I’m a big fan of his. … He’s a good businessman. He’s a very good businessman and I have a lot of respect for Diddy.”
Any group that includes Kaepernick has no chance at being approved. Not just for the Anthem thing, but he’s got a lawsuit going against the NFL. Not getting near the front door. Thankfully
Maybe Diddy should step back and let Jay Zee be the lead man he will have more respect I would think. Not sure how that would work with his sports agent firm. I guess he could step away from that and let the guys who really do the work run it. CK could have a 1% share in it and nobody would care. Would be like all the people that own the Packers. A piece of paper with little value.
Why would Jay-Z (not jay zee) bring more respect than Diddy? What has Diddy done wrong?
Excuse me that I don’t know how to spell these stupid rappers names right. I mentioned Jay ZZZZ because he has a sports agent business that seems to be successful and I am sure has some credibility with these rich old men. Peee Diddy doesn’t have that even though he has changed his name how many times? That is what Diddy has done wrong he has no credibility with the owners they will see him as a foul mouth rapper and not a business man no matter what he has done.
Don’t point out the recording money or clothes or shoes or any business he has run they won’t see it. They will see a black rapper. They are older than me and will know and care less about him than me. Like I said at least with Jay Z they will have some knowledge of his business dealings. He would give him a better chance. IMHO
Still didn’t spell Jay-Z right lol
Still don’t care lol
If didly gets a team, I’m done with the nfl.
I just can’t see a group headed by Diddy being approved.
I’m not saying it’s right or wrong or taking any PC sides….. but NFL is still a good old boys club to a good degree. I don’t see an “outside the norm” type buyer here.
150% agree.
A) kaepeenick involved means automatic no
B) Diddy will need another 1-2 big investors to support the buy
C) Diddy would do it to make a buck not to run a world class organization
Kapernick would have to own the team to be on the roster. “Heaven Can Wait”
I was also thinking about buying the team too. Perhaps I will get tomorrow’s headlines. I also don’t have enough money, but details schmetails.
You forgot to mention another athlete interested in investing in the Panthers team purchase…Stephen Curry voiced his wish to join Team Diddy in the buyout.
I don’t really care about Diddy owning the team accept that he wants to make stupid decisions like paying Kaep to compete at QB. If he gives him starting QB money like I’m sure he is looking for it will handicap the team just to prove a political point. Kaep is the same QB as a Cam but much much worse so he won’t play.
Maybe Michael Jordan will get in on this football buying spree ! Maybe even Mark Cuban, who has the money !
If Kaepernick bought the team would they be called the Carolina Black Panthers?