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Panthers owners aren't considering relocation

Robert Mayer / USA TODAY Sports

Florida Panthers owners Vinnie Viola and Doug Cifu refuted rumors the team would be moved if it couldn't renegotiate the lease on the BB&T Center.

The owners decided to write an open letter to Panthers fans, reassuring them that even though the team faces financial issues, they will not relocate as a means to erase their debt.

As we close in on the one-year anniversary of our ownership of the Florida Panthers, we want to reiterate our commitment  to Broward County, South Florida and our Panthers fans and business partners. As we said at the press conference when we bought the team, we view ourselves as stewards of the team for the community and our plan is to build an organization that makes South Florida proud and to win the Stanley Cup in South Florida. Despite media speculation to the contrary, we have no plans or intentions to move this franchise.

Cifu admitted the team was losing $30 million a year and needed to renegotiate the lease on its arena. Broward County Mayor Barbara Shareif also hired a consultant to investigate whether the county could let the Panthers out of their lease.

The Panthers, though, seem to be staying put for now.

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