DeBartolo Jr. has interest in buying Carolina Panthers

By Brian Dzenis

bdzenis@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown native Eddie DeBartolo Jr. has interest in buying the Carolina Panthers, Jim Trotter of ESPN reports.

DeBartolo, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2016, is exploring the possibility of putting a group together, according to the NBC website profootballtalk.com.

DeBartolo owned the 49ers from 1977 to 2000 before turning over control of the franchise to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York. The 49ers won five Super Bowls under DeBartolo’s ownership.

A message left with DeBartolo’s representatives Monday night wasn’t returned.

“I am going to respect Jerry Richardson’s wish to not discuss the sale of the Carolina Panthers until after their season is over,” DeBartolo said in a statement released to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

The Panthers were put up for sale this past weekend after Richardson, the owner, became the subject of an NFL investigation into alleged sexual and racist misconduct. He stepped down from running day-to-day operations of the team Monday.

Carmen Policy, former president and CEO of the 49ers during the DeBartolo years, said Monday night he had spoken with DeBartolo – who’s living in Tampa, Fla. – as recently as Monday.

Policy said DeBartolo lamented the situation of his former fellow owner but didn’t comment on possibly purchasing the team.

Policy said various people connected with the NFL have contacted DeBartolo over the past several years to see if he was interested in becoming an owner again, but DeBartolo has never committed to making a comeback.

Policy said the Panthers are an appealing team.

“He’d do great in Charlotte. He wouldn’t have to go very far from Tampa,” Policy said of his fellow Mahoning Valley native. “Charlotte is a great market. It has a steady business community, and there’s improvements being built for the stadium.”

DeBartolo isn’t the only name to emerge as a possible new owner.

The Associated Press named O. Bruton Smith, Speedway Motorsports chairman; real-estate magnate “Smoky” Bissell, Family Dollar founder Leon Levine, the Belk family, developer Johny Harris and rapper Diddy (Sean Combs) as potential candidates. Charlotte Hornets owner and NBA legend Michael Jordan hasn’t commented on the sale.

Forbes magazine estimates the Panthers to be worth about $2.3 billion. Before any sale is finalized, at least 24 of the 32 NFL owners must give their approval.