A bit more on this developing story from South Florida Business Journal, regarding the potential merger of Panthers parent Sunrise Sports & Entertainment with Sports Properties Acquisition Corp:
The Panthers have struggled in the South Florida sports market, failing to reach the postseason since 2000 and last winning a playoff game in 1997. Attendance ranked 24th out of 30 NHL teams in this past regular season, at 15,622 per game, far below the league average of 17,460, despite a 1.2 percent increase from 2007-08.
However, SSE books more than 200 events a year for the arena, including Panthers games, and Pollstar, a music industry publication, last year named the venue one of its top eight as part of its Arena of the Year award.
If I read this correctly, I’m translating it to mean the hockey team’s on the rise yet remains a goat, but the building is a cash cow, hence interest in the entire operation.