A theory on the team sale (that you may not like)

[Mr. Scot]

So Felix Sabates was interviewed on WFNZ today and was asked a few questions about the team sale.

While he "officially" can't talk about it, he still did (as usual) and in the process, said something that some folks here probably aren't gonna like.

Actually, a few things...

His first comment was that two of the four potential owners (he still includes Rubin) would "definitely" prefer to build a domed stadium. We know Navarro prefers an open air stadium, so obviously he's not one of the two. And as before, he mentioned the Carowinds location and the need to make money on parking as part of the rationale.

Dome opponents won't like that, but that's not the real issue.

Sabates also mentioned having dinner with David Tepper in Miami. He said that Tepper wanted to meet at a certain time that seemed unusual to him. After he got there, he asked why that time. Tepper said it was because they could get a senior discount (sounds plausible). Further discussing Tepper, Sabates stated that the net worth we've heard for him is probably conservative. He believes he's worth closer to 15 to 18 billion dollars rather than the 11 or 12 billion we've heard.

And then, it got really interesting...

When they were discussing the delay in the sale, Sabates was asked whether he believes Richardson is looking for other factors or primarily just interested in the highest bid. His answer was highest bid, but he threw in that he believed a good scenario would be for two of the potential owners to join up and make a bid together.

The hosts asked if that were actually possible.

Sabates answered that he was actually trying to help arrange it.

That could be big.

So then the natural question: Which two?

Sabates wouldn't say, but here's what we know.

Tepper would seem obvious given that Sabates recently met with him and talked glowingly about him in the interview.

Navarro would seem highly unlikely given the report that when Sabates contacted all the potential bidders about being a minority owner, Navarro didn't return his calls. All the others did.

And Kestenbaum?

Per the article that was just posted in the other thread (by @boney, here) Kestenbaum's recent visit to Charlotte involved meeting with "local business leaders".

One name he mentioned?

Yep. Felix Sabates. Also Cameron Harris, a current Panthers minority partner, relevant because when Sabates was still bidding himself, word was that he had someone currently in minority ownership on board with him.

Reading between the lines, it sounds like Sabates is trying to get Tepper and Kestenbaum to join forces so they can outbid Navarro.

Why would he do this? Well remember, Navarro didn't take his calls. The others did. And we all know Felix wants to be a minority owner.

This actually could help explain why there's a delay in the sale process. If, as theorized, Richardson wants a higher price, this would be a way to get it. Throw in that the league wants Tepper but Tepper hasn't then willing to budge on his bid.

If Kestenbaum were to join him, he wouldn't have to.

With this in mind, go back to the comment that "two of the four" want a domed stadium. That might mean that Tepper and Kestenbaum agree on the idea. Also could mean that only one or the other does and they'd need to iron that out before joining forces. Of those two scenarios, the first seems more likely to me.

It's been speculated before that this delay could wind up screwing over Ben Navarro. If what Sabates says is accurate, then there may just be a very good chance of that happening.

Me? I'd still prefer Navarro, and I know I'm not alone in that.

For that reason, I hope this is wrong.

I've got a bad feeling that it's not.

[moresouthernthanyou]

Navarro is being systemically pushed out. 

 

Everyone loses.

[DFive]

Sounds like that draft hat, "Two states, One Team" was a prelude to our new motto of "Two Owners, One Team".  

[Mr. Scot]

Granted, dual ownership works for the Giants, but I'm not a fan of the idea.

Neither is the NFL, but they are big fans of David Tepper...and his money.

[arbnranger]

I’m personally not invested that much on the new ownership but I’ll have to say dam good write up Scot. 

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, arbnranger said:

I’m personally not invested that much on the new ownership but I’ll have to say dam good write up Scot. 

I am because it'd be great to have a better owner than Jerry Richardson.

I think Ben Navarro is that guy.

Now could David Tepper or a Tepper-Kestenbaum partnership still be good? Sure, but one of the things that's come out in previous stories is that Ben Navarro wants to own this team really badly. Tepper seems to see it more as an investment.

I'd rather have the guy who's passionate about it, and again I don't think I'm alone in that viewpoint.

[Carl Spackler]

I’m gonna be eternally disappointed in JR if he goes for that. 

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, Carl Spackler said:

I’m gonna be eternally disappointed in JR if he goes for that. 

If they offered him 3 billion, why wouldn't he?

[Carl Spackler]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

If they offered him 3 billion, why wouldn't he?

Personally I don’t think it comes to this. JR appeared to be in cohoots with Ben from a fairly early point. If he gives him the shaft like he’s already done to his employees and the city, I guess no one should be surprised. But part of me will be shocked that we’re really getting Shinned. 

[Mr. Scot]

If you check the article that @boneylinked (and you should) you'll also see it features Kestenbaum mentioning that the team should stay in Charlotte.

Now granted, he would probably say that anyway, but while I've got my tinfoil hat on I find myself asking this question: What's been one of the bigger selling points for Ben Navarro?

Local ties.

Can't help but think this is Kestenbaum saying "Hey I (or we) would keep the team here too".

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, Carl Spackler said:

Personally I don’t think it comes to this. JR appeared to be in cohoots with Ben from a fairly early point. If he gives him the shaft like he’s already done to his employees and the city, I guess no one should be surprised. But part of me will be shocked that we’re really getting Shinned. 

To quote Han Solo, "I've got a bad feeling about this".

(I'm also tempted to quote Samuel L Jackson but I've decided to keep it clean)

[Marguide]

29 minutes ago, arbnranger said:

I’m personally not invested that much on the new ownership but I’ll have to say dam good write up Scot. 

Agree.

Great info and insight. Thank you Scott for keeping us up to date on the nuances of the sale process.

[CarolinaNCSU]

Could easily see this being the case, sadly.

Not to mention, a local guy like Sabates could even just be in it for wanting a piece of the new stadium, any land he may own, different ways to make a buck, etc. Add in the ego factor of Navarro not returning his calls and yeah, wouldn't surprise me if everyone is working against Navarro.  Sucks, because I was leaning towards wanting him. 

As for the partnership, don't think we have to worry about the Canadian guy much at all (though it will be a scare factor used if Charlotte balks at ponying up money for the Carowinds stadium).  But hopefully Tepper winds up being a good owner, since it seems the league is going to get him one way or the other. 

[Mr. Scot]

4 minutes ago, Marguide said:

Agree.

Great info and insight. Thank you Scott for keeping us up to date on the nuances of the sale process.

It's a topic of interest for me. All I'm really doing is sharing what I find and adding my own thoughts.

In this particular case, I'm not real happy about it.