Carolina Panthers Reportedly Have 2 Potential Bidders Left in Sale

There are reportedly just two bidders remaining in the impending sale of the Carolina Panthers. 

On Monday, Ken Belson of the New York Times reported Ben Navarro, who owns Sherman Financial Group, and Alan Kestenbaum, who is the chief executive of Bedrock Industries, are the two primary bidders still in the running.

Belson cited sources who said Navarro offered $2.6 billion in his bid.

According to Belson, the field is down to just two after hedge-fund billionaire David Tepper and Fanatics owner Michael Rubin each dropped out because they "balked at the asking price of at least $2.5 billion."

Rubin is apparently out of the running after David Newton of ESPN.com reported in March he included rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry among the minority owners in his ownership group.

Whoever becomes the owner of the Panthers must receive approval from at least 24 other owners.

Belson noted Tepper was a popular choice around the league because he could cover the cost of purchase without other investors with a net worth of approximately $11 million and already owns a minority stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers, meaning he has already received NFL approval.

The team is for sale after Jerry Richardson announced he would sell following allegations of workplace misconduct.

A report from L. Jon Wertheim and Viv Bernstein of Sports Illustrated revealed "at least four former Panthers employees have received 'significant' monetary settlements due to inappropriate workplace comments and conduct by owner Jerry Richardson, including sexually suggestive language and behavior, and on at least one occasion directing a racial slur at an African-American Panthers scout."