Canes majority owner Peter Karmanos Jr. is pleased to have Michael Kahn as an ownership partner and said today he soon should announce more.
Karmanos announced Thursday that Kahn, the owner of the Charlotte Checkers, had invested in the Canes. The Checkers are the Canes' AHL affiliate.
"I really thought it was important to have a separate release with Michael because his partnership makes hockey the dominant sport in North Carolina," Karmanos said.
Reminded that North Carolina has some strong college basketball allegiances, notably in the Triangle, and might contest that "dominant sport" claim, Karmanos said, "In college basketball, everybody roots for their own team. But Duke fans, N.C. State fans, North Carolina fans all root for the Carolina Hurricanes."
Karmanos said he now has sold $22 million in equity of the franchise to nine people, all from North Carolina, who could invest another $7 million or more. He said he would soon announce the names of some of the investors but said some would prefer "to stay in the background."
"I think in the next six months we'll sell another $20 million, and all to North Carolina people," he said.
Kamanos said the influx of investment dollars did not mean the Hurricanes might look to add a high-priced player to bolster this year's team, adding more salary. The Canes' salary cap hit is a little more than $50 million, according to capgeek.com., ahead of only the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.
"We'll see what happens in the next five to 10 games," Karmanos said.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
as fans
Sat, 10/15/2011 - 08:03 — esteban1949we can only hope and pray huh ? Glad this deal has happened regardless as it really does "solidify" Pro Hockey in the Carolinas..and for tis fan..that is the bottom line..
If It Ain't Hockey,It Ain't Nothing!! Go Canes & Checkers !!
New Investors
Fri, 10/14/2011 - 15:31 — hockey101Hopefully Kahn will help increase our spending budget which is desperately needed.
Increasing the Canes Salary Budget
Fri, 10/14/2011 - 14:44 — abramsdougThe Hurricanes do need to have an increased salary budget. With the young players on the team and in the system, it will be necessary to spend more to keep the players the Hurricanes have developed. The best source of the additional income is to increase attendance and particularly to increase the number of season ticket holders. Having North Carolina investors is a huge step forward even if the salary budget does not instantly increase. Teams at the salary floor on a consistent basis have a very difficult time competing for the Stanley Cup.