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Ex-USA President Donald Trump once attempted to buy Florida Panthers franchise currently valued at $775,000,000
Ex-USA President Donald Trump once explored the possibility of purchasing the Florida Panthers NHL franchise around 1999. The team was based in South Florida with a new 20,000-seat arena. Wayne Huizenga owned the Panthers then and was considering selling the team.
According to former Panthers executive Bill Torrey, Trump's organization reportedly showed interest in buying the team.
“Amongst the interested parties was the Trump organization,” Torrey said (via sports.yahoo.com).
Torrey remembered Donald Trump's past in sports ownership, including owning a USFL football team. He also mentioned Trump's family supporting the New York Islanders hockey team early on.
“Donald had owned the football team in the USFL and his brother Bob was one of our first season ticket holders on Long Island when we started. I don’t think they had much interest in the Panthers, but they did inquire,” Torrey said.
Despite Donald Trump's interest, Huizenga and the Panthers' management wanted to maintain local ownership.
“I did the interviewing with the interested parties,” Torrey said, “and Wayne wasn’t going to sell to anyone outside of South Florida. The Trump folks inquired, but they knew we were trying to keep it local.”
Now, the Florida Panthers, valued at around $775 million (per Forbes), have made NHL history by having their names officially engraved on the Stanley Cup for the 2023-24 season.
Former US hockey team captain Mike Eruzione faced backlash for supporting Donald Trump
In February 2020, Mike Eruzione, captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team, expressed regret over the online backlash faced by the team after attending President Donald Trump's rally. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of their "Miracle on Ice" victory, the team was invited to a Las Vegas rally where some wore Trump's "Keep America Great" caps.
At the rally, Eruzione and Kelly Brooks, daughter of the late coach Herb Brooks, spoke briefly. Brooks said her father would have been a Trump supporter. The team was then accused of politicizing the historic event by the critics. The Trump campaign defended the team, attributing the backlash to "cancel culture."
Eruzione called the situation "crazy" in a phone interview and was saddened by the negative comments.
“This is getting crazy,” said Eruzione. (via CNN) “I shake my head at it, that’s all I can say.”
Historically, the team has been celebrated by various presidents, including Jimmy Carter. However, many players have faced criticism for supporting Trump at official events.
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