This is why no one takes Florio seriously as a writer

[jtnc]

When the Panthers recently announced a deal with Charlotte that would keep in the team in town for 15 years in exchange for $143.75 million in public money for renovations at the team’s stadium, there was a sense of finality to the situation.

The finish line, however, remains miles away.

As explained by Erik Spanberg of the Charlotte Business Journal, Panthers president Danny Morrison told the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors that the effort to put the deal in place is “a process.”

Indeed it is. Regardless of any agreements reached with the city, using public money is a more complex endeavor, especially when the package includes money from the state’s coffers. The Legislature eventually will must approve of the plan.

In this specific case, the fact that an increase in the local restaurant and hotel tax will generate far more money than the renovations will require creates a political playground for pet projects that would be funded by the excess. Moreover, the red states remain lukewarm when it comes to using public money for anything, especially when the proposed recipients already are billionaires.

So the deal won’t be done until it’s done. And until it’s done the Panthers won’t be tied to Charlotte for another 15 years.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/27/panthers-stadium-negotiations-a-process/

Funny, how he didn't have Gantt write the article about it, ya know, someone who ACTUALLY knows what he's talking about and familiar with Carolina. He wants to rustle jimmies.

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

Florio is a needledick in every sense of the word. When he's on TV I flip the channel. When he's on the radio I turn it off.

PFT is a good spot for news but too many fluff pieces like this one to generate page clicks. NFL.com's Around the League is a better source of info without the slant.

[SCP]

He is correct in that its not nearly a done deal. The state doesn't appear ready to play ball and without the state money the city will probably pull back.

[Panthro]

I see blind hate for a guy who actually wrote a decent article.

[Johnny Rockets]

I was just about to say that I am confused as to what ridiculousness by Florio I was supposed to be reading because I don't see it.

[Udogg]

I read the entire article and am still looking for Florio doing well.. the Florio. I guess it's kind of the boy who cried wolf thing with Florio.

[4Corners]

It's not an "article."

He quotes facts from Spanberg (who is a very intelligent sports journalist BTW), and adds a few provacative toll-esque opinions.

Gantt had credibility here and should have been the one to speak on the situation.

You have to respect Florio, though. He is a troll legend. A jedi troll. He went from a blog where he wrote a few wisecracks to one of the top NFL beat writers in the game.

[rayzor]

lots of reasons to point and laugh at florio.

this wasn't one.

[Jakob]

[Ivan The Awesome]

Yes, let's give florio what he wants. Clicks to his site...