CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The powerful Chairman of the Charlotte City Council’s Economic Development Committee offered some insight Tuesday into the number of potential buyers for the Carolina Panthers.
“We currently hear there are about six bidders, so for those who are interested, I think things will start changing," James Mitchell told NBC Charlotte’s Rad Berky.
Mitchell said while much of the drama to date about the sale has played out in private, he expects things could change as early as next week.
“We were told very early that things will pick up after the Super Bowl, so I do think, starting Monday, things will change,” said Mitchell.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles has been reluctant to discuss the impact of the sale of the Panthers, saying everyone should wait until we know who the new owner will be.
Asked Tuesday how far she’d be willing to go to keep the Panthers in Charlotte, Lyles said, “The Panthers are so important to our community that we want to do what’s right to keep them and that is what we are going to do.”
NBC Charlotte has reported extensively on a group of potential buyers being put together by Charlotte businessman Felix Sabates.
Sabates said if his group wins, there would need to be a new domed-stadium with parking available for 20,000 cars.
NBC Charlotte identified the most likely spot, just off Carowinds Boulevard at the state line.
“We want a local team, the ownership that would keep the team here, local, and downtown,” Mitchell said.
Sabates has said at this point in the bidding procedure, he can not say anything more publicly,
