Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers (Image: Getty)
On Sunday, Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced in a letter that he is stepping down from his long-held post and that the franchise will be put up for sale after the 2017 season.
Richardson is leaving amidst a string of misconduct allegations that include sexual harassment and using a racial slur. He made no mentions of the accusations in the letter.
Hours later, two celebrities expressed interest in buying the franchise: Sean “Diddy” Combs and Stephen Curry.
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Combs said in the video he posted on Twitter that his first order of business upon become Panthers owner would be to sign Colin Kaepernick, and it didn’t take long for the free-agent quarterback to respond.
“I want in on the ownership group,” Kaepernick tweeted back to Combs Monday morning. “Let’s make it happen!”
“But also, I will have the best halftime show, the best selection of music and we will win [multiple Super Bowls],” Combs added in his video.
Former NFL players Greg Jennings, Shawn Merriman, and Maurice Jones-Drew also tweeted their interest.
No African-American has majority ownership of an NFL team, and Combs noted this in a separate Instagram post. But Diddy, Curry, and Kaepernick wouldn’t be the first black men to try.
In 2005, Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler would have been the first African-American to own an NFL team when he attempted to purchase the Minnesota Vikings. He eventually became a limited partner, but lost his partnership in 2014.
Other famous African-Americans do own sports teams in other major leagues. Michael Jordan is an owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, and BET co-founder Sheila Johnson has ownership of the Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), and the Washington Capitals (NHL).
The Panthers have been valued at $2 billion, compared to $206 million Richardson paid when he first bought the franchise in 1993.
Since being released by the San Francisco 49ers in March, Kaepernick has filed a grievance against all 32 NFL owners for colluding to keep him out and signed a book deal, in addition to earning several awards and titles recognizing him for his social activism.
BUFFALO, NY – OCTOBER 16: Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to throw against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at New Era Field on October 16, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
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