Roger Goodell: Panthers Sale Drawing 'Unprecedented Interest'

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters Wednesday there is "unprecedented interest" in buying the Carolina Panthers, who are being put up for sale by owner Jerry Richardson after allegations of sexual harassment and improper workplace conduct surfaced against him in December.

Goodell added that he hopes a buyer can be approved by the league's owners in May.

The Panthers are expected to be sold for a substantial amount. Per Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk, "The previous record for a sale of an NFL team was the $1.4 billion the Bills fetched in 2014, and early estimates on the Panthers sale put it in the $2.5 billion range."

As for the potential buyers, Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer reported that the list includes "South Carolina businessman Ben Navarro, Miami hedge fund manager David Tepper and Canadian steel company CEO Alan Kestenbaum."

Scott Soshnick of Bloomberg reported last week that e-commerce businessman Michael Rubin had dropped out of the running as the potential price reached $2.5 billion, but Rodrigue noted that "Rubin has made a bid and is still interested in the team at the right price."

Gantt cited North Carolina software magnate Jim Goodnight and Tottenham Hotspur majority owner Joe Lewis as possible candidates, adding that at least three unnamed bidders are potential buyers as well.

Finally, David Newton of ESPN.com reported that entertainer Sean "Diddy" Combs and Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry could serve as minority owners in a potential Rubin ownership group.