from Brittany Wallman of the Sun Sentinel,

A majority of Broward County commissioners say they support a bailout of the Florida Panthers, arguing the county would be in a financial bind if the National Hockey League team moves away.

The county commission support, voiced informally Tuesday for the first time at a public workshop, ranged from tepid to enthusiastic. But the consensus was clear.

At least six of the eight commissioners who will be voting on the deal support giving an undetermined amount of additional taxes collected from tourists to the Panthers, which leases and operates the county's BB&T Center in Sunrise. The team is asking for an additional $80 million....

"We're losing $100,000 a day,'' said Panthers co-owner Doug Cifu, who with Vinnie Viola became the team's fifth owner in September, with a $250 million purchase. "So where I sit, time is of the essence.''

Cifu said if it were his operation, he'd have an agreement put to paper in one day.

more