BROWARD COUNTY, FL - The Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to amend the terms and extend the Operating Agreement for the County-owned Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise for an additional five years, which would carry the new 9-year agreement through 2033. The Arena is home to the Florida Panthers hockey team, who participated in the championship playoffs in 2023 and won the 2024 Stanley Cup in June - the first championship in their 30-year history. Under the terms of the new agreement, Broward County will have the sole option to retain the Panthers at the Arena for two additional five-year terms for a total of 19 years through 2043.

Upon final approval of the new agreement, the Panthers would pay an upfront amount of $51.5 million to Broward County to be used to pay off the remaining debt on the facility. Additionally, the Panthers agreed to continue to donate at least $1 million annually to various community efforts across Broward County and South Florida. 

Through this new nine-year agreement, the Panthers would also gain exclusive rights over the next four years to propose and submit a development plan for the Broward County property surrounding Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise for Broward County's approval. The Florida Panthers will continue to serve as the operator of the Arena for which Broward County would pay $25 million annually for capital expenditures, repairs, operations, and maintenance of the County-owned Arena facility. This amount would be funded  through the tourism development tax, paid predominately by visitors to Broward County. 

"Extending our Arena agreement with the Florida Panthers is a tremendous win for our community. This new agreement not only ensures that we continue to enjoy world-class hockey but also demonstrates the Panthers' unwavering commitment to our local community. The Panthers' organization will also donate $1 million annually dedicated to supporting non-profits.  The Panthers' involvement goes beyond the rink, and we are proud to have them as partners in fostering a stronger, more vibrant community," said Mayor Nan Rich.

"We are thrilled to continue our long-term partnership with Broward County as we align in our committed efforts to positively impact the community we serve," said Panthers Chairman, Owner and Governor Vincent J. Viola. "This is a perfect example of how a public-private partnership can successfully work together as the Panthers footprint now spans the entirety of the County from the Everglades to the beaches. Through our partnership first and foremost with Broward County, and working with the cities of Sunrise, Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale, we are proud to operate multiple facilities across the County and deliver first-class entertainment to our fans and local residents." 

"Broward County is a proud partner of the Florida Panthers and recognizes and applauds their continued investment in our County," said Broward County Administrator Monica Cepero. 

The Amerant Bank Arena attracts upwards of 30 million visitors annually and is one of the top-ranked venues of the kind in the world, servicing Broward, Collier, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties and beyond. According to the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, the Panthers have generated a $125+ million impact on the local economy over the last two playoff runs.

The Commission approved the terms sheet for the future new agreement on September 17. The formal agreement will come back to the County Commission for final approval.