Florida Panthers reach pricey deal to stay at current arena long-term

It has gone by a few different names over the years, but Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida will remain the home of the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers for a long time after the two sides reached a brand new deal. Some of the costs of running the arena will be paid for through the public purse.

The Florida Panthers' lease with Amerant Bank Arena has been extended until 2033. Broward County, where the arena is located, has the ability to automatically extend the lease for two five years periods after the initial deal ends. The contract includes an upfront payment of more than $50 million by the Florida Panthers, with the county covering $25 million annually through a tourism tax.

Amerant Bank Arena holds a special place in the heart of Florida Panthers' fans now after the team defeated the Edmonton Oilers in game 7 of the Stanley Cup final there just a few months ago to win their first-ever NHL championship. During the series, the Oilers expressed some concerns about ice conditions at the arena, but it was never a major storyline in the final.

According to Sportnet, the Florida Panthers recently spent over $65 million to repair and upgrade a practice facility in nearby Fort Lauderdale. The facility includes new retail and dining options as part of the plan. The Panthers exceeded one million fans in attendance at games for the first time in franchise history last season. That includes playoff games.