CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A potential bidder for the Carolina Panthers visited the team offices at Bank of America Stadium Wednesday and was given a tour around the facility that included a video presentation of the huge stadium screens.
Alan Kestenbaum was the first potential bidder to pay a personal visit to the stadium. He could be seen riding in the front right seat of a golf cart as he was driven around the exterior of the stadium. He made no public comment and did not acknowledge NBC Charlotte camera crews that were nearby.
Kestenbaum is the owner of Bedrock Industries, a private equity firm based in Miami, which recently acquired a 107-year old Canadian steel company now called Stelco Holdings.
Meanwhile in Orlando, Florida at the annual meeting of NFL owners, Commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about the progress being made to sell the Panthers.
“I’ve talked to Jerry (Richardson) as well as the leadership about that process and its moving along with unprecedented interest,” Goodell responded.
Its not clear if Kestenbaum is the front runner among other bidders that include hedge fund manager David Tepper, Charleston, S.C. financier Ben Navarro, and Felix Sabates who is trying to put together a group of local investors.
Goodell said he hoped the sale would be done in time for the league owners to vote on it at their next meeting in May in Atlanta.
