Report: Panthers close to reaching arena deal to stay in Florida

Watch as Brandon Pirri and Derek MacKenzie score just 13 seconds apart to take a lead on the St. Louis Blues.

It looks like the Florida Panthers will soon have a little much-needed clarity in terms of their hockey future.

(Hint: It’s not in Quebec City.)

According to Miami Herald reporter George Richards, a vote is to be held on Tuesday to pass an $86 million financial package with Broward County, which “all but guarantees” the team will stay put in Florida.

Richards tweeted that the deal will more than likely be passed — but perhaps not by much — and that the deal with the county includes an agreement to host an All-Star Weekend, and a league promise to invest in youth hockey in the area.

The Panthers made a similar financial request in 2013, but the county turned it down. The difference this time, according to a Sun-Sentinel story in October, is this deal guarantees the county will get its money back through a letter of credit, if the Panthers fold or relocate.

There would need to be a vote of 5-3 in favour of the new deal for it to pass.

Here is Richards’ full series of tweets on the topic:

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