If a number of the largest names in entertainment and sports have anything to do with it, another owner of this Carolina Panthers is likely to soon be a historical one for the National Football League.
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, also Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry have all expressed interest in buying the Panthers as it will become on the purchase at the finish of the summer season.
“I will be the best NFL owner that you can imagine,” Diddy said in a video posted to Instagram late Sunday evening. “I will immediately address the Colin Kaepernick situation and put him in the running for next year’s starting quarterback.”
No African American has majority ownership of an NFL team. However, Diddy, ” Curry, and Kaepernick would not be the initial African Americans to try.
Kaepernick, who’s has yet to be signed into an NFL team, might make a comeback to the league, but away from the sidelines. Curry, tweeted Diddy saying he desired too. Curry is a native of North Carolina and a fan of the Panthers.
Back in 2005, Reggie Fowler, an Arizona businessperson, could have been the first African-American to own an NFL team when he attempted to obtain the Minnesota Vikings. He eventually became a limited partner, however, in 2014 lost his venture.
“I want in on the ownership group,” he tweeted back to Combs Monday morning. “Let’s make it happen!”
Other prominent African-Americans have ownership in leading franchise sports clubs, including Michael Jordan, who’s an operator of the Charlotte Hornets (NBA) and BET co-founder Sheila Johnson who has ownership of their Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), and also the Washington Capitals (NHL).
The interest from the Panthers comes from allegations that current owner and creator, Jerry Richardson, sexually harassed women worker and also used a racial slur against an African American employee.
“I believe it is time to turn the franchise over to new ownership,” Richardson stated in a letter shared on the Panther’s website Sunday. “We will not begin the sale process, nor will we entertain any inquiries, until the very last game is played. While I will no longer be the team owner, I will always be the Panthers Number One fan.”